The river, which stretches for 180Km, is lifeline to thousands of people. Despite having been fined $5,000 by EMA earlier this year, the council has failed to honour its promise to rectify the problem.
Timothy Nyoka, EMA spokesperson, said his organisation has resolved to take legal action against the council. “We are taking them to court, the untold damage to the environment and the risk on people who use the water is too serious to ignore,” he said.
Deputy Local government minister Sessil Zvidzai, who is also former Gweru Executive Mayor, said the entire sewer lining in the city would have to be refurbished if the problem is to be contained.
“No cosmetic measures can be done on that problem. Unless about $2 million dollars is found, nothing can be done to solve the problem,” said Zvidzai.
“EMA should not simply be interested in punishing the council, which has no money to rectify the damage. EMA should understand that and instead help in sourcing the funds because it’s a bigger disaster happening,” he said.
Post published in: News