Wetlands or Wasteland? Mabvuku Residents Rise Against Illegal Sand Mining

With Zimbabwe set to host the prestigious COP15 wetlands conference in July, furious Mabvuku residents have launched a petition to halt rampant illegal sand mining threatening the Cleveland Dam catchment area—an internationally protected Ramsar site.

Mining activities that began discreetly near the Mukuvisi River source behind Donnybrook Primary School have crept closer to the dam, carving gullies and craters into the once-thriving wetland ecosystem.

Now, with the spotlight of the global environmental summit looming, residents say the government must walk the talk on conservation.

Jimmy Mahachi, coordinator of the Cleveland Action Alliance Trust, captured the community’s growing frustration.

“As Zimbabwe prepares to host COP15, we need to practice what we preach regarding wetland protection.

“How can we demonstrate to the world that we protect our wetlands when internationally recognized sites are being destroyed under our watch?” he questioned.

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The Cleveland catchment is more than a wetland—it’s a biodiversity hotspot and vital water source for Harare, home to migratory birds and numerous other species.

But residents say the ecosystem is under siege, not just from miners but from complicit authorities.

Former Mabvuku-Tafara MP Munyaradzi Febion Kufahakutizwi did not mince words.

“The problem has become rampant because enforcement agents appear to be working with illegal sand miners. Residents who raise concerns are even being threatened,” he said.

Environmental groups including BirdLife Zimbabwe, Harare Wetlands Trust, and the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) have joined forces to support the petition, which is fast gaining traction in the community.

Prudence Hanyani, a Mabvuku resident, underlined the ecological urgency.

“Cleveland catchment area is a heritage site that houses numerous species.

“The sand mining activities are disturbing the ecosystem and affecting the biodiversity that depends on these wetlands,” she said.

Under Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Act, wetlands are protected by law and any development requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

But enforcement remains patchy, with illegal operations flourishing amid weak oversight.

As reported by Community Mirror, the timing is awkward for authorities. From July 23 to 31, Zimbabwe will host delegates from 172 countries in Victoria Falls for the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention (COP15).

The irony of hosting a global wetland summit while local wetlands are ravaged is not lost on residents.

Tafara resident Gamuchirai Chakawira made a direct appeal.

“We implore the highest offices, including the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife and the Environment Management Agency (EMA), to join hands in stopping these destructive activities on our water sources.”

Her concerns were echoed by Mufarowashe Dube.

“Without wetlands, there is no water security for our communities.

“The destruction of Cleveland Dam’s ecosystem not only threatens our water supply but also undermines Zimbabwe’s international commitments to wetland conservation,” she said.

Residents plan to submit the petition to Parliament, pushing for tighter legislation and decisive action to safeguard the Cleveland wetland and Zimbabwe’s credibility on the world stage.