News / National
'Gold panners obstructing water inflows to Mzingwane Dam'
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Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart has raised concerns over illegal gold mining activities, which he says are hindering rainwater from flowing into Mzingwane Dam and preventing the water body from aiding in addressing the city's water challenges.
Coltart made these remarks on Sunday during his state of the city address at Nkulumane Hall in Ward 22. He expressed frustration over the low water levels in the city's dams, despite the region experiencing significant rainfall.
"We have to sort out the water situation. We have a major problem with our dams. With all the rain that we've had over the past few months, our dams have only increased by 4%. Yesterday, our dams were still sitting at 28%. With all this rain, why have they only gone up by 4%?" Coltart said.
He explained that during a visit to Mzingwane Dam on Saturday, he was shocked to see that after 40 kilometers of travel, he did not spot a single stream flowing. "Illegal gold panning! They have dug up our rivers," Coltart emphasized.
The mayor highlighted that while the city is focusing on the construction of a proposed dam from the 1990s, it is insufficient to meet the city's growing water demands. Coltart stated that the focus is now on the construction of the Glass Block Dam.
"In December, I traveled to Morocco to meet with the African Development Bank. We had a very constructive discussion to try and raise the US$99.9 million needed to build the Glass Block Dam," he said.
Coltart further mentioned that the city is close to finalizing the necessary agreements for the Glass Block Dam project, which he described as more cost-effective than the long-term Gwayi-Shangani Dam project.
"We are also planning to build a 32km pipeline from Glass to Ncema station. This will improve the water situation, though it will take two years to complete. We all need to be patient. Gwayi-Shangani is fine, but it's long-term, and to build that 257km pipeline to Bulawayo needs a significant investment. Glass Block Dam will be more affordable," Coltart added.
The mayor stressed the urgency of dealing with illegal mining activities, emphasizing their detrimental impact on the city's water resources and the necessity of immediate intervention to ensure sustainable water management.
Coltart made these remarks on Sunday during his state of the city address at Nkulumane Hall in Ward 22. He expressed frustration over the low water levels in the city's dams, despite the region experiencing significant rainfall.
"We have to sort out the water situation. We have a major problem with our dams. With all the rain that we've had over the past few months, our dams have only increased by 4%. Yesterday, our dams were still sitting at 28%. With all this rain, why have they only gone up by 4%?" Coltart said.
He explained that during a visit to Mzingwane Dam on Saturday, he was shocked to see that after 40 kilometers of travel, he did not spot a single stream flowing. "Illegal gold panning! They have dug up our rivers," Coltart emphasized.
The mayor highlighted that while the city is focusing on the construction of a proposed dam from the 1990s, it is insufficient to meet the city's growing water demands. Coltart stated that the focus is now on the construction of the Glass Block Dam.
"In December, I traveled to Morocco to meet with the African Development Bank. We had a very constructive discussion to try and raise the US$99.9 million needed to build the Glass Block Dam," he said.
Coltart further mentioned that the city is close to finalizing the necessary agreements for the Glass Block Dam project, which he described as more cost-effective than the long-term Gwayi-Shangani Dam project.
"We are also planning to build a 32km pipeline from Glass to Ncema station. This will improve the water situation, though it will take two years to complete. We all need to be patient. Gwayi-Shangani is fine, but it's long-term, and to build that 257km pipeline to Bulawayo needs a significant investment. Glass Block Dam will be more affordable," Coltart added.
The mayor stressed the urgency of dealing with illegal mining activities, emphasizing their detrimental impact on the city's water resources and the necessity of immediate intervention to ensure sustainable water management.
Source - the chronicle
