News / Local
Enkwalini 'death pool' to be fenced
30 Mar 2016 at 06:48hrs | Views
THE Bulawayo City Council is considering putting a perimeter fence around Enkwalini "pool of death" in Entumbane suburb to prevent residents from accessing the area.
Dozens of residents have drowned in the pool over the years.
Residents claimed that the deep pit in which water has collected, was left by Davies Granite which extracted quarry stones from it.
A number of residents have allegedly committed suicide in the pool, with the latest being Dalisa Ntele from Njube suburb who plunged in last week on Sunday.
Bulawayo's Mayor Councillor Martin Moyo said the local authority would soon make sure Enkwalini is inaccessible to residents.
"We're considering fencing the pool so that our children and other residents may not access it. We need to protect the city's residents because the pool is dangerous even for those who may not want to commit suicide.
They can trip into the pool and anything can happen," said Clr Moyo.
Yesterday, The Chronicle spoke to management at Davies Granite who refused to take responsibility.
"I don't know anything about it. So I can't comment on it," said a manager who refused to reveal his identity.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) provincial manager for Bulawayo Decent Ndlovu also recommended that the council fences off the area.
"The local authority should channel some resources to fence off the area. If they don't have the money they should seek funds from central government," said Ndlovu.
He said EMA was not in a position to act on the pool as it existed before there were laws to govern the environment.
"This pit was left before the enactment of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act which came to be in 2003 but was operationalised in 2007," he said.
Ndlovu said the current EIA does not allow companies to start operations without showing how their plans will affect the environment.
He said Enkwalini pool was a clear example of an environmental hazard.
Ndlovu said companies that do extractive work or pollute the environment without rehabilitation, risk being fined up to $5,000 or a custodial sentence of between one year and five years for their directors.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango also urged residents not to conduct any activities at Enkwalini.
The pool is used by apostolic sects to baptise their members while fishermen have turned a blind eye on the deaths occurring there.
Dozens of residents have drowned in the pool over the years.
Residents claimed that the deep pit in which water has collected, was left by Davies Granite which extracted quarry stones from it.
A number of residents have allegedly committed suicide in the pool, with the latest being Dalisa Ntele from Njube suburb who plunged in last week on Sunday.
Bulawayo's Mayor Councillor Martin Moyo said the local authority would soon make sure Enkwalini is inaccessible to residents.
"We're considering fencing the pool so that our children and other residents may not access it. We need to protect the city's residents because the pool is dangerous even for those who may not want to commit suicide.
They can trip into the pool and anything can happen," said Clr Moyo.
Yesterday, The Chronicle spoke to management at Davies Granite who refused to take responsibility.
"I don't know anything about it. So I can't comment on it," said a manager who refused to reveal his identity.
"The local authority should channel some resources to fence off the area. If they don't have the money they should seek funds from central government," said Ndlovu.
He said EMA was not in a position to act on the pool as it existed before there were laws to govern the environment.
"This pit was left before the enactment of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act which came to be in 2003 but was operationalised in 2007," he said.
Ndlovu said the current EIA does not allow companies to start operations without showing how their plans will affect the environment.
He said Enkwalini pool was a clear example of an environmental hazard.
Ndlovu said companies that do extractive work or pollute the environment without rehabilitation, risk being fined up to $5,000 or a custodial sentence of between one year and five years for their directors.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango also urged residents not to conduct any activities at Enkwalini.
The pool is used by apostolic sects to baptise their members while fishermen have turned a blind eye on the deaths occurring there.
Source - chronicle
