News / National
Lake Chivero water crisis deepens, cancer risk soars
6 hrs ago | Views
Once a cherished symbol of Zimbabwe's natural heritage and a critical lifeline for the capital's water supply, Lake Chivero is now the epicenter of a deepening public health crisis, with new research revealing that its waters pose cancer risks 15 times deadlier than HIV.
The lake, long plagued by unchecked pollution, has transformed from a recreational haven and wildlife sanctuary into a toxic reservoir. Algal blooms, foul smells, and dead fish now mark its once pristine shores, with experts warning that the situation has spiraled into a national emergency.
Professor Hilda Matarira, a seasoned chemical pathologist at the National Health Laboratories and Parirenyatwa Hospital under the University of Zimbabwe's College of Health Sciences, has monitored Lake Chivero's water quality for nearly 25 years. Her latest findings are alarming.
"Microcystins from blue-green algae are cancer-causing and kill people at rates 15 times higher than HIV," Matarira said. "Lake Chivero's contamination is rising each year."
Microcystins, potent toxins produced by cyanobacteria, are not only fatal to aquatic life but also infiltrate drinking water systems, accumulate in fish, and persist in the ecosystem long after blooms vanish. The consequences are grave for millions who rely on the lake's water, including residents of Harare, Chitungwiza, and Ruwa.
Despite growing health concerns, the government's response has remained tepid. A temporary fishing ban was imposed in December following the unexplained deaths of several animals, including four white rhinos, three zebras, and a number of wildebeests—all believed to be victims of the lake's contaminated waters. But since then, few tangible steps have been taken.
Even alternatives to lake water are proving unsafe. Matarira revealed that tests on borehole water revealed 100% contamination with E. coli in some areas, while elevated levels of heavy metals and nitrates were also detected. Boiling water, she cautioned, offers no protection against these substances.
She also pointed to the city's air pollution as a contributing factor. "The influx of about 1.5 million vehicles is significantly polluting the air. These emissions settle on water bodies, worsening contamination," she said.
Perhaps most disturbing is the risk to consumers of fish caught in the lake. Matarira warned that high mercury levels and other toxins accumulate in fish tissue, posing a serious threat of heavy metal poisoning to unsuspecting families and their pets.
"The particles pierce every organ in humans and animals. They are one of the major causes of cancer," she said.
The environmental and health crisis has sparked outrage among civic leaders. Ruben Akili, Director of the Combined Harare Residents Association, called on city authorities to enforce waste disposal laws more rigorously.
"The government must take action to stop the pollution crisis. The mass deaths of fish and wildlife point to dangerous contamination," Akili said. "This is not just an environmental issue—it is a public health emergency requiring coordinated action across sectors."
While concerns mount, responses from government officials have been underwhelming. Professor Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, claimed ignorance of the latest research.
"I haven't seen any reports confirming these claims. If you have evidence, please share it with me," he said.
Meanwhile, acting Harare town clerk Engineer Mabhena Moyo acknowledged industrial pollution of Lake Chivero but insisted remedial action is underway.
"Yes, there are industries polluting Lake Chivero, and we have been fining them," he said. "Water from the lake is clean and meets WHO standards. We test it almost hourly before distribution. However, I cannot speak to the safety of the fish."
Efforts to obtain a response from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority were unsuccessful, with spokesperson Tinashe Farawo declining to comment, citing other commitments.
As evidence of contamination grows and expert warnings become increasingly dire, Lake Chivero's deterioration stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting environmental stewardship. Without immediate, coordinated, and sustained intervention, Zimbabwe risks turning its main water source into a toxic monument to institutional inaction—at the cost of human health, biodiversity, and the nation's future.
The lake, long plagued by unchecked pollution, has transformed from a recreational haven and wildlife sanctuary into a toxic reservoir. Algal blooms, foul smells, and dead fish now mark its once pristine shores, with experts warning that the situation has spiraled into a national emergency.
Professor Hilda Matarira, a seasoned chemical pathologist at the National Health Laboratories and Parirenyatwa Hospital under the University of Zimbabwe's College of Health Sciences, has monitored Lake Chivero's water quality for nearly 25 years. Her latest findings are alarming.
"Microcystins from blue-green algae are cancer-causing and kill people at rates 15 times higher than HIV," Matarira said. "Lake Chivero's contamination is rising each year."
Microcystins, potent toxins produced by cyanobacteria, are not only fatal to aquatic life but also infiltrate drinking water systems, accumulate in fish, and persist in the ecosystem long after blooms vanish. The consequences are grave for millions who rely on the lake's water, including residents of Harare, Chitungwiza, and Ruwa.
Despite growing health concerns, the government's response has remained tepid. A temporary fishing ban was imposed in December following the unexplained deaths of several animals, including four white rhinos, three zebras, and a number of wildebeests—all believed to be victims of the lake's contaminated waters. But since then, few tangible steps have been taken.
Even alternatives to lake water are proving unsafe. Matarira revealed that tests on borehole water revealed 100% contamination with E. coli in some areas, while elevated levels of heavy metals and nitrates were also detected. Boiling water, she cautioned, offers no protection against these substances.
She also pointed to the city's air pollution as a contributing factor. "The influx of about 1.5 million vehicles is significantly polluting the air. These emissions settle on water bodies, worsening contamination," she said.
Perhaps most disturbing is the risk to consumers of fish caught in the lake. Matarira warned that high mercury levels and other toxins accumulate in fish tissue, posing a serious threat of heavy metal poisoning to unsuspecting families and their pets.
"The particles pierce every organ in humans and animals. They are one of the major causes of cancer," she said.
The environmental and health crisis has sparked outrage among civic leaders. Ruben Akili, Director of the Combined Harare Residents Association, called on city authorities to enforce waste disposal laws more rigorously.
"The government must take action to stop the pollution crisis. The mass deaths of fish and wildlife point to dangerous contamination," Akili said. "This is not just an environmental issue—it is a public health emergency requiring coordinated action across sectors."
While concerns mount, responses from government officials have been underwhelming. Professor Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, claimed ignorance of the latest research.
"I haven't seen any reports confirming these claims. If you have evidence, please share it with me," he said.
Meanwhile, acting Harare town clerk Engineer Mabhena Moyo acknowledged industrial pollution of Lake Chivero but insisted remedial action is underway.
"Yes, there are industries polluting Lake Chivero, and we have been fining them," he said. "Water from the lake is clean and meets WHO standards. We test it almost hourly before distribution. However, I cannot speak to the safety of the fish."
Efforts to obtain a response from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority were unsuccessful, with spokesperson Tinashe Farawo declining to comment, citing other commitments.
As evidence of contamination grows and expert warnings become increasingly dire, Lake Chivero's deterioration stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting environmental stewardship. Without immediate, coordinated, and sustained intervention, Zimbabwe risks turning its main water source into a toxic monument to institutional inaction—at the cost of human health, biodiversity, and the nation's future.
Source - Business Times
