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Whange community demands action on air pollution
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Residents of Whange and workers at the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) are appealing to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) to address escalating air pollution caused by emissions from the Hwange Thermal Power Station. The power station, which recently commissioned units 7 and 8, has been linked to deteriorating air quality and increasing health concerns in the coal-mining town.
In a statement, ZLHR's Jabulani Mhlanga revealed that the Greater Whange Residents Trust (GWRT) and the ZPC Workers Committee have expressed serious concerns over the pollution, particularly in the Ingagula area, which is in close proximity to the power station.
"Since the commissioning of the two units, the air quality levels in Ingagula and the surrounding areas have deteriorated, leading to growing cases of poor health caused by emissions from the power station," the ZLHR statement read.
The Environmental Management Agency (Ema) has been criticized for its delayed response to residents' concerns. While GWRT wrote to Ema in October 2023 requesting data on air quality levels, the agency provided ambient air sample results from as far back as August 2021. Efforts to obtain the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the new power station units have also been met with resistance.
In October 2023, ZPC resolved to relocate residents of Ingagula to a new site, acknowledging the adverse impact of emissions on the community. According to ZLHR, a recent report from Ema - covering air quality tests conducted from September 10 to 16, 2024 - found emission levels to be significantly above the acceptable standards set by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The report highlighted that the proximity of the Ingagula community, just 600 meters from the auxiliary boiler site, puts residents at high risk of health complications from air pollution. ZPC has since committed to relocating the community 10 kilometers away from the power station to mitigate these risks.
ZLHR has invoked section 73 of Zimbabwe's Constitution, which guarantees the right to an environment that is not harmful to health or well-being. The human rights lawyers are now consulting their clients to determine the next steps, which may include enlisting independent consultants to review the air quality data and assess the risks posed by the emissions.
"ZLHR took up the matter to protect the right to an environment that is not harmful to health or well-being," the organization said.
The residents, supported by ZLHR, are awaiting further engagement with ZPC and Ema, as well as an independent review of the air quality findings. This case highlights the critical need for greater accountability in environmental management and the protection of vulnerable communities in Zimbabwe's industrial areas.
In a statement, ZLHR's Jabulani Mhlanga revealed that the Greater Whange Residents Trust (GWRT) and the ZPC Workers Committee have expressed serious concerns over the pollution, particularly in the Ingagula area, which is in close proximity to the power station.
"Since the commissioning of the two units, the air quality levels in Ingagula and the surrounding areas have deteriorated, leading to growing cases of poor health caused by emissions from the power station," the ZLHR statement read.
The Environmental Management Agency (Ema) has been criticized for its delayed response to residents' concerns. While GWRT wrote to Ema in October 2023 requesting data on air quality levels, the agency provided ambient air sample results from as far back as August 2021. Efforts to obtain the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the new power station units have also been met with resistance.
In October 2023, ZPC resolved to relocate residents of Ingagula to a new site, acknowledging the adverse impact of emissions on the community. According to ZLHR, a recent report from Ema - covering air quality tests conducted from September 10 to 16, 2024 - found emission levels to be significantly above the acceptable standards set by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The report highlighted that the proximity of the Ingagula community, just 600 meters from the auxiliary boiler site, puts residents at high risk of health complications from air pollution. ZPC has since committed to relocating the community 10 kilometers away from the power station to mitigate these risks.
ZLHR has invoked section 73 of Zimbabwe's Constitution, which guarantees the right to an environment that is not harmful to health or well-being. The human rights lawyers are now consulting their clients to determine the next steps, which may include enlisting independent consultants to review the air quality data and assess the risks posed by the emissions.
"ZLHR took up the matter to protect the right to an environment that is not harmful to health or well-being," the organization said.
The residents, supported by ZLHR, are awaiting further engagement with ZPC and Ema, as well as an independent review of the air quality findings. This case highlights the critical need for greater accountability in environmental management and the protection of vulnerable communities in Zimbabwe's industrial areas.
Source - newsday
