Coltart urged to engage Mnangagwa

Mayor David Coltart has been urged to engage President Emmerson Mnangagwa to urgently address illegal gold mining activities allegedly carried out by Chinese miners, which are said to be damaging water sources and worsening the city's ongoing water crisis.

The call was made during a recent council meeting, where Ward 22 councillor Mmeli Moyo raised concerns over continued riverbed and riverbank mining within critical water catchment areas supplying the city.

Moyo said the situation has left the city unable to fully control the activities, as mining permits are issued by central government agencies, including the Ministry of Mines.

"A Chinese company is mining where we draw water for our people's survival. We do not have water because they were given authority by whosoever to do so," he said.

He added that both council and the mayor should pursue high-level engagement with the President to find a lasting solution.

"When it comes to FDI and mining, there are government agencies that authorise it such as the Ministry of Mines and others that are directly involved. They are the ones that give permits to mine," Moyo said. "We cannot control those people, which is why we need strategic engagements with the President. What we want is water in Bulawayo."

Bulawayo has faced persistent water shortages for years and relies on several supply dams in the Umzingwane catchment area, including Insiza, Inyankuni, Lower Ncema, Upper Ncema, Umzingwane and Mtshabezi, as well as groundwater from the Nyamandlovu aquifer.

Recent assessments show critically low water levels in key dams such as Lower Ncema, Umzingwane, Upper Ncema and Mtshabezi, forcing authorities to implement strict water rationing measures over the past three years.

Heavy siltation from mining activities in riverbeds and along riverbanks has been identified as a major contributor to reduced dam capacity and declining water availability, despite recent rainfall.

Moyo emphasised the urgency of the situation, saying the leadership should have anticipated the challenge.

"It is my view that when you got into office you got in knowing this problem, that Bulawayo is under a water crisis," he said.

The city's worsening water shortages have intensified calls for stronger enforcement of environmental regulations and coordinated action between local authorities and central government to safeguard vital water infrastructure.