By Wallace Mawire
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has welcomed a High Court of Zimbabwe order restraining Chitungwiza Municipality from unlawfully discharging raw or untreated sewage into water sources and the environment.
In a statement, EMA said the judgment, issued on September 30, 2026, under Case No. HCH3235/25, followed an application by the agency for a mandatory interdict against the local authority.
The court order prohibits Chitungwiza Municipality from unlawfully discharging raw or untreated sewage and effluent into any water source, water body or the environment in violation of the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27].
The municipality has also been directed to take all lawful and reasonably practicable measures within its statutory mandate to prevent unlawful discharges and ensure compliance with applicable environmental standards.
EMA said the legal action followed numerous engagements with the municipality, as well as the issuance of fines and environmental protection orders, which allegedly failed to produce the required action.
The agency said the High Court intervention would strengthen its efforts to ensure compliance with regulations governing solid and liquid waste management.
It warned that continued non-compliance could result in contempt of court proceedings against the municipality.
The Chitungwiza ruling follows a similar High Court order involving the City of Harare, which EMA said was issued on October 2, 2026, under Case No. HCH2610/25.
EMA said the situation reflected a broader challenge facing urban water bodies, with monitoring showing that many rivers were contaminated by raw and partially treated sewage discharged into the environment.
According to the agency, most monitored urban rivers have high nutrient concentrations, while phosphate levels in some rivers exceed permissible limits by up to 12 times.
The agency attributed the pollution to an estimated 415 megalitres of raw and partially treated sewage discharged into the environment daily.
EMA called on local authorities to adopt best practices in wastewater management to protect public health and natural ecosystems.
“The same are therefore encouraged to invest in robust liquid waste management systems with urgent focus going towards infrastructure development,” the agency said.
The agency urged local authorities to prioritise infrastructure development and strengthen wastewater treatment systems to curb pollution and safeguard the environment.