Legislators allege EMA , Council sleeping on duty, missing in action
More hot water for wetlands destroyers
Zimbabwe’s lawmakers have expressed shock and disbelief at the degree of environmental disaster unfolding on the country’s wetlands – especially in urban areas like Harare.
Members of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Environment and Tourism came face –to-face with the extent of the degradation and encroachment of the capital’s fragile ecosystem during a tour of the city in the company of environmentalists and municipality officials.
The MPs, who were getting an appreciation of the housing construction and other activities threatening designated wetlands in the city, visited several affected areas where agricultural cropping activities and housing construction is going on.
From Budiriro to Borrowdale, Sunningdale to Sentosa, Dzivarasekwa to Glen Lorne, no suburb is safe!
Among the rolling hills of the usually quite and serene plush northen suburbs, fast and furious construction is taking place. And the lawmakers were apprised of conflicts between residents and land developers where the latter stand accused of ignoring court orders to halt developments.
At the Glen Lorne hills, the legislators heard of cases were encroachment with several houses on the dry river bed. On another stand, there is a fence and skywalk over a river with plans to construct a building.
On other planned properties, walls of neighbouring stands have been built after diverting the course of the river.
The parliamentarians, led by MP Concillia Chinanzvavana, questioned how this could happen without approval from relevant bodies – the Environmental Mnagement Authority (EMA) SND Harare Municipality.
“Somebody somewhere I closed their eyes and sent their brains on leave a while all this activity was going on. That person needs to be held accountable,” the tough-talking representative from Mashonaland West told this publication after the tour.
MP Colleta Mutambisi, another committee of the committee, weighed in, saying that allowing such developments only serves to embolden other developers elsewhere to break the law.
“The Government should urgently launch a countrywide crackdown on developments in wetlands and even also censure EMA for failing to act,” she said.
“We intend to hold accountable those responsible for them to move with speed and investigate the circumstances under which the approvals and permission for these developments on wetlands were issued,” said the former school teacher who represents Zvishavane in the House.
However, it remains to be seen whether this pressure will be enough to prompt the nouvea riche obscenely flaunting their wealth would have their million-dollar properties knocked down!
One of the factors that galvanized the legislators to embark on the tour of the wetlands was the reported heavy siltation of Lake Chivero – Harare’s main water supply – and the very poor and deteriorating quality of the water amid diminishing water levels of the lake.
Hon Chinanzvavana called on EMA and the local authority to put their house in order, adding that the illegal structures should be demolished to protect the water catchment areas.
“Those found to be violating the laws should appear before this committee – EMA, city council and even former ministers, “ she said, explaining: “The rampant impunity in this country is what makes people violate laws with contempt.”
Professor Christopher Magadza, a respected scientist and professor with the University of Zimbabwe, says that ignoring the law has led to loss of lives and property.
“The law allows developers to carry out construction 30 metres from the river “but that is defective”.
“Let us avoid building houses near rivers and river sources. People who ignore this don’t care about the lives of others,” says the seasoned environmentalist, who is a United Nations award-winner
“We need to align and harmonise the EMA and council laws as these seem to have different provisions on how to manage land and are confusing to the common person,” he said during a site visit of world acclaimed Monavale Vlei.
The Monavale Vlei, an important wetland area within the city along Fenella Drive, is managed by the Conservation Society of Monavale (COSMO.) There are no buildings on the site.
“The wetland is our “experiential centre”, said Dorothy Wakeling , a “site manager “ of the preserved area of the Monavale Vlei, which lies within the Monavale Wetland Ramsar Site.
“The area is a favourite for picnic-gowers, for its great relaxation and recreational value as well as for walking and jogging,” she adds.
Alex Masterson, another resident from nearby, weighs in, saying that a rapidly growing but polluted city needs “green spaces” to provide clean; a filtration system for clean water; and a biological system for the flora and fauna that pollinates and supports urban agriculture.
“Someone has said that without these rivers and streams and parks, our only options for social services would be either bars and churches,” he said quietly.
“But more seriously, public spaces are owned by citizens and the government should shift from mantra to practice and leave no space for backroom underhand deals that violate by-laws,” he added.
The retired lawyer further explained that action needs to be taken.
Rosie Mitchell, a resident of Greendale, also under siege from developers, explained that wetland conservation has never been more burningly important than right now, with more and more precious vleis being ruined by illegal dumping, cultivation and construction, domestic and commercial pollution.
“Despite legislation and many on-going efforts to put a stop to it once and for all, construction, the worst onslaught of all on these precious areas continues, along with deliberately set fires, dumping, mealie growing and pollution,” she said.
But it was Bikita East MPJohnson Madhuku who pulled no punches.
“These developers are going to disturb all wetlands. For generations, our people have respected and taken care of wetlands. So, to bulldoze this now is an abomination,” he said, adding: “It’s very sad that authorities are looking aside and doing nothing!”
“In this new dispensation, we are have to change and people are going to face the full wrath of the law,” he explained, arguing the developments are causing irreversible damage to the wetlands and called for construction to be stopped.
“The tour has been an eye-opener.”
