By CHILA NAMAIKO –
THE Zambia Environmental Management Authority (ZEMA) has commenced criminal proceedings against mining companies, most of them on the Copperbelt for allegedly polluting the Kafue River and other water bodies.
Water Development, Sanitation and Environment Minister Lloyd Kaziya informed Parliament on Wednesday evening that numerous complaints had been presented by various stakeholders over the pollution levels of water sources from mining related activities, among others.
The agency conducted several investigations into pollution of water bodies in areas such as the Copperbelt, Central and Lusaka provinces and those along the Kafue River, which snakes across several regions. Mr Kaziya said ZEMA would prosecute other companies outside the mining industry that had played a role in polluting water bodies in the country.
“Mr Speaker, for instance, the study carried out in 2005 under the project sponsored by the World Bank revealed that the Kafue River was constantly under stress from industrial activities especially mining and mine related activities,” he said.
The minister said this when he updated the House in a ministerial statement on pollution of water sources as a result of mining activities.
He said that water pollution would not be condoned as it frustrated the Government’s efforts of ensuring the environment was managed in a sustainable manner.
ZEMA and the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) had over the years undertaken studies in selected parts of the country on industrial activities to assess associated impacts on the environment.
The study revealed that the middle course of Kafue River was affected by pollutants from manufacturing industries such as food processing and detergents.
Others were agricultural activities along the lower basin whose main source was from agro-chemicals like fertilisers, especially coming from Mazabuka in Southern Province.
Mr Kaziya said, most affected water bodies by the high levels of pollution were Mwambashi, Muntipa, Mushishimba and Chingola streams and the Kafue River due to pollutants from copper, cobalt, iron and manganese.
He said ZEMA was undertaking more measures to ensure the improvement of water pollution monitoring programmes with emphasis on the mining activities.
Patriotic Front Kabwe Central Member of Parliament Tutwa Ngulube among other lawmakers in the House called on ZEMA to put stringent measures to address air and water pollution.