By Tinotenda Kutama
Kwekwe City Council was recently fined US$400 by Kwekwe Magistrate Naison Dhambuza after they were dragged to court by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) over allegations of discharging waste sewage into the environment.
Magistrate Dhambuza gave the order on 4 September 2024 in a case which Kwekwe City Council was facing charges of contravening Section 70 1 of the EMA Act Chapter 20:26.
The local authority was ordered to pay a US$400 fine or ZiG equivalent by the 30th of September 2024 or risk having its property attached.
EMA was represented by Kwekwe District Environmental Officer Daniel Magombedze whilst Yetani Moyo appeared on behalf of Kwekwe City Council.
The court heard that on the 17th day of June 2019, at Globe and Phoenix Primrose Mine, Kwekwe City Council unlawfully discharged waste in such manner to cause pollution or ill health to people or realising that there is a real risk or possibility that its conduct might cause pollution or ill health to people.
Magistrate Dhambuza heard that the sewer line from Amaveni burst in Globe and Phoenix near Primrose Mine and was discharging sewerage waste polluting the environment.
It is said EMA then served an order to city council requesting the trunkline to be repaired and protected against further vandalism but the claim is said to have been ignored.
