Lake Kariba's shoreline overrun by illegal slums

Illegal plastic shelters have spread along the shores of Lake Kariba, raising alarm over worsening sanitation conditions, disease risks and rising criminal activity in the area.

The informal structures - mainly makeshift camps built from plastic sheeting, poles and scrap materials - are being erected by increasing numbers of itinerant fishermen operating in remote bays and islands where enforcement is limited.

According to Tichaona Manzungu, chairperson of the Gache-Gache Fishing Camp Association, the rapid expansion of these camps has become difficult to control, particularly during peak fishing seasons.

He warned that the lack of designated camping sites has pushed fishermen into unregulated settlements with no sanitation systems or oversight, leading to environmental degradation and health hazards.

Manzungu said waste disposal directly into the lake is contributing to water pollution, while the camps have also become hotspots for theft and other criminal activity targeting registered fishing operators.

He called on the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, and the police to intensify patrols, dismantle illegal structures, and establish regulated fishing camps with proper facilities.

Lake Kariba, a key economic resource supporting thousands of households through fishing and related activities, continues to face pressure from unregulated settlement and resource exploitation.

Local stakeholders say they are willing to collaborate with authorities to develop a structured system that balances livelihoods with environmental protection, safety and sustainable resource management.