Staff writer
Some dozens of livestock last week died after consuming water laced with suspected cyanide in Shashe river in Mashava.
Councillor in ward 5, Masvingo district, Lillian Chiphala told The Blast that residents have made a report to authorities and are currently waiting for feedback.
“We contacted guys from Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) after discovering that cyanide was flowing into Shashe river, though the affected area is not under my jurisdiction.
But the matter of concern is that the affected water flows into Tugwi river which supplies Bere township with water for domestic consumption.
Authorities from ZINWA then closed the water source for testing,” said Chiphala.
“We are currently waiting for them to reveal the outcome of their investigations but it’s sad that quite a number of livestock died after consuming water in Shashe river.”
Efforts to get a comment from ZINWA were fruitless, but The Blast understands some mining of alluvial gold takes place in the area.