Mystery illness, dead rivers and toxic legacy

Residents of Nekabandama village in Hwange's remote northwestern districts say they continue to live with the haunting memory of a 2018 outbreak of a mysterious illness that left dozens of people temporarily paralysed  -  an event they believe was triggered by pollution from coal mining activities along the Lukosi River.

The village lies within the Lukosi River catchment, a key water source for about 2,000 people and their livestock, and a lifeline running through Zimbabwe's coal-rich Hwange district, home to major mining and thermal power operations.

The outbreak, locally referred to as "umsheshaphansi", affected 48 people within hours, with victims reporting dizziness, loss of coordination and sudden immobilisation. Community members also reported simultaneous livestock deaths, deepening suspicions of water contamination.

Residents and local activists say the incident followed a suspected chemical spill from a coal mining operation along the river, which was later shut down for failing to comply with safety standards. However, government test results were reportedly never fully disclosed, leaving the community without clear answers.

"By the end of the day there were 48 people seeking treatment," said village headman Zamani Nyoni, adding that patients were initially treated for malaria before being discharged without a confirmed diagnosis.

The Lukosi is not the only water source under scrutiny. The nearby Deka River has also experienced repeated ecological disasters, including mass fish deaths, livestock losses and reports of long-term contamination stretching back decades.

Environmental researchers and community accounts suggest the presence of selenium  -  a toxic byproduct associated with coal combustion and mining activities  -  as a possible contributor to ongoing pollution in the river systems.

In April 2019, residents along the Deka reported widespread aquatic deaths, with fish, frogs and other aquatic life found floating in discoloured water. Similar incidents have recurred in subsequent years, with some communities reporting reproductive problems in livestock and declining water quality.

A cattle farmer in the region said repeated contamination events have rendered traditional livelihoods increasingly unsustainable, with animals suffering deformities and high mortality rates.

Former Hwange West legislator Jealous Sansole said the crisis reflects long-standing planning failures, arguing that coal mining and industrial discharge have historically been prioritised over environmental protection and community safety.

"All the mines, industries and municipal sewer systems in Hwange dispose raw effluent directly into the river," he said.

Government bodies, including the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), acknowledge concerns over pollution and say steps are being taken to address the issue. EMA officials confirmed that a national committee was established in 2025 to assess long-term solutions to coal-related contamination in the Deka River system.

Authorities say the committee brings together academic experts and government departments to develop interventions aimed at restoring water quality and reducing environmental damage.

Despite these efforts, affected communities say they continue to rely on boreholes provided by non-governmental organisations as river water has become unsafe for domestic use.

As investigations continue, the Hwange coalfields remain at the centre of a growing environmental and public health debate, with residents calling for greater transparency, accountability and long-term remediation of the region's heavily industrialised river systems.