President's Office investigates 'poisonous' Gwanda road

State security agents (CIO) have reportedly demanded that the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) provide samples of asbestos infected gravel that was unilaterally spread on Senondo township roads by Zanu PF's ward 9 councilor Thulani Moyo.

The probe by the President's office follows a public outcry that the gravel was poisonous and likely to impact on peoples health.

"Guys from the CIO approached EMA to get samples of the gravel and if indeed the tests prove the gravel is poisonous Council will be obliged to remove the gravel," said a source who requested anonymity.

The gravel which has since become dusty was the sole initiative of Councilor Moyo and council did not approve the project.

Despite residents complaining about the asbestos gravel EMA had been dragging it's feet in conducting the tests until the intervention of the Presidents Office.
Gwanda Residents Association also approached council over the issue but nothing has been done yet.

However,controversial councillor Moyo has in the past castigated his critics saying they are failing to effect developments in their wards and so attempting to bring him down.

 Moyo challenged anyone who says the gravel is poisonous to come forward with laboratory tests reports to prove that the gravel was indeed poisonous and he will replace the gravel by putting tar on all the roads in his ward.

"I am ready for anyone who can come forward and prove that the gravel is poisonous and I will move to plan B which we already have in place. If they say I must remove the gravel, I will remove it and put tarred roads in the whole ward am not scared and I have the capacity to do that," said Moyo.

Moyo, a close associate of Transport minister Obert Mpofu whose vehicles were used to rehabilitate the road is likely to be in trouble if tests prove otherwise.

"Moyo never sought authority from Council to spread gravel and it's unlikely the cash-strapped municipality will foot the expenses of clearing the gravel once the tests confirm the gravel isn't safe," said a Council source.

The same gravel was condemned in 2011 when authorities sought to spread it at Phelandaba Stadium during Youth Games as it was deemed to be detrimental to health.