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Greenfuel accused of discharging raw effluent
2 hrs ago |
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Concerns are mounting over alleged pollution linked to ethanol producer Green Fuel after a legislator accused the company of discharging effluent into the Musvazvi River, a key water source for surrounding communities.
Clifford Hlatswayo, the Member of Parliament for Chipinge South, said villagers had complained for years about suspected contamination from the company's ethanol production operations, alleging that efforts to engage the firm had yielded little progress.
"This has been a perennial problem since the establishment of the plant. The company has been engaged on many occasions, but no action has been seen on the ground," Hlatswayo said in an interview.
He said communities including Munepasi, Mavhike, Matikwa and Chinyamukwakwa, as well as settlements along the Musvazvi stream, were affected.
Hlatswayo added that local farmers had reported crop damage, including wilting bean crops, which they suspected was linked to water drawn from the river.
The lawmaker also said Green Fuel had not yet provided his office with its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report despite requests, and that proposed community engagement meetings had not taken place.
Zimbabwe's Environmental Management Agency (EMA) said it had not yet received formal complaints on the matter.
"No such report has been received by the office as yet. Inquiries and investigations will be instituted on the matter," EMA Manicaland provincial manager Rambwayi Mapako said.
Green Fuel denied receiving reports of pollution from local communities or authorities.
"We have not received any reports to that effect. We have checked with the Environmental Management Agency office, councillors and traditional leaders in that area, and no one has confirmed that," company spokesperson Merit Rumema told local media.
Hlatswayo also raised concerns about possible air pollution from the ethanol plant, saying communities west of the facility, including Mutumburi, Machona and Muyondozi, had not been adequately informed about potential environmental impacts.
Environmental concerns linked to mining, industrial activity and ethanol production have increasingly come under scrutiny in Zimbabwe as authorities face pressure to balance investment, energy production and environmental protection.
Clifford Hlatswayo, the Member of Parliament for Chipinge South, said villagers had complained for years about suspected contamination from the company's ethanol production operations, alleging that efforts to engage the firm had yielded little progress.
"This has been a perennial problem since the establishment of the plant. The company has been engaged on many occasions, but no action has been seen on the ground," Hlatswayo said in an interview.
He said communities including Munepasi, Mavhike, Matikwa and Chinyamukwakwa, as well as settlements along the Musvazvi stream, were affected.
Hlatswayo added that local farmers had reported crop damage, including wilting bean crops, which they suspected was linked to water drawn from the river.
The lawmaker also said Green Fuel had not yet provided his office with its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report despite requests, and that proposed community engagement meetings had not taken place.
Zimbabwe's Environmental Management Agency (EMA) said it had not yet received formal complaints on the matter.
"No such report has been received by the office as yet. Inquiries and investigations will be instituted on the matter," EMA Manicaland provincial manager Rambwayi Mapako said.
Green Fuel denied receiving reports of pollution from local communities or authorities.
"We have not received any reports to that effect. We have checked with the Environmental Management Agency office, councillors and traditional leaders in that area, and no one has confirmed that," company spokesperson Merit Rumema told local media.
Hlatswayo also raised concerns about possible air pollution from the ethanol plant, saying communities west of the facility, including Mutumburi, Machona and Muyondozi, had not been adequately informed about potential environmental impacts.
Environmental concerns linked to mining, industrial activity and ethanol production have increasingly come under scrutiny in Zimbabwe as authorities face pressure to balance investment, energy production and environmental protection.
Source - Mirror
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