By Loyd Matare
Over 1,200 concerned residents from across Harare Metropolitan Province have petitioned President Emmerson Mnangagwa to declare the worsening pollution crisis at Lake Chivero a state of disaster.
They warn that the contamination threatens public health, food security, and the livelihoods of thousands.
This comes as Lake Chivero, the main water source for nearly 2.4 million people in Harare, Chitungwiza, and surrounding areas, has become a toxic hotspot due to industrial waste and malfunctioning sewage treatment systems.
The once pristine lake, also designated a protected Ramsar Site, is now choking under severe eutrophication caused by untreated sewage and chemical discharges.
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In a statement, the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) said:
“Today, around 1,200 residents petitioned the President of Zimbabwe to declare the pollution crisis at Lake Chivero a state of disaster.
“The petition highlighted that pollution has harmed water and food security, fishing livelihoods, tourism, and poses a serious public health risk.”
“Lake Chivero, a vital water source for 2.4 million people in Harare Metropolitan Province and a protected Ramsar Site, has become heavily polluted due to partly and non-functional sewage treatment works of Harare, Chitungwiza, and industrial discharges.”
The residents said the situation requires immediate national attention, urging the government to act before the environmental crisis worsens.
“Declare the pollution and public health crises at Lake Chivero a disaster under the Civil Protection Act,” the statement read.
They also appealed to the government to reform outdated environmental laws.
“Include the Water Act and other environmental laws for reform in the next Parliament session, including establishing an independent Water and Waste Water Regulator,” CHRA said.
“Form a Joint Inter-Ministerial Taskforce to explore the use of probiotic enzymes for pollution cleanup.”
They also urged stronger environmental enforcement.
“Advise the Minister of Environment to review pollution fines and enforce pre-treatment requirements for industrial effluent as provided in Section 59 of the Environmental Management Act.
“Support local authorities to rehabilitate sewer systems and treatment plants, financed through Inter governmental Fiscal Transfers (IGFTs) as outlined in the Zimbabwe Constitution.
It also comes as reports have been circulating of widespread equipment failures and system breakdowns at the Firle Sewer Treatment Plant, raising concern over the safety of Harare’s main water source.
Recently, City of Harare Town Clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo told AfroGazette News that the city was aware of the growing crisis.
He also admitted that only two out of the five treatment units at Firle are currently operational.
“It’s true that some of the water treatment units at Firle have broken down,” he said.
“I can’t confirm the exact percentage of the malfunction, but all untreated sewage is being redirected to council farms, not directly into Lake Chivero.”
An insider at the Firle Sewerage Treatment Plant also told AfroGazette News that the situation at the facility was dire, with most of its systems no longer functioning.
The source revealed that the aging infrastructure and lack of maintenance had left workers overwhelmed and unable to contain the sewage flow.
“The system is about 90 percent malfunctioning, and we can no longer handle the volume,” the insider said.
“Raw sewage is now being directed straight from the treatment plant into Lake Chivero without any treatment because the machinery has completely broken down.”
