from MELUSI MHLANGA in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Bureau
BULAWAYO, (CAJ News) – BULAWAYO city councillors say they have been threatened with violence and political reprisals after speaking out against illegal mining activities that are further jeopardising the city’s already fragile water supply system.
The revelations were made at a city council meeting on Thursday, where councillors expressed shock that political elites and supporters linked to the ruling ZANU-PF are allegedly backing illegal gold panners operating in key water catchment areas, undermining both environmental law and public safety.
Last week, Bulawayo Executive Mayor David Coltart raised the alarm over unregulated gold panning along the Mzingwane catchment, warning that the destruction of riverbanks and dam catchments could worsen the severe water shortages affecting the city’s industrial, commercial and domestic users.
Bulawayo’s water supply is drawn from multiple dams and reservoirs that provide raw water for treatment and distribution.
According to city data, the municipality relies on six main supply dams — Insiza Mayfair, Inyankuni, Lower Ncema, Umzingwane, Upper Ncema and Mtshabezi.
These sources collectively feed the reservoirs that sustain Bulawayo’s water treatment works and urban distribution system.
The major dams sit on the Mzingwane catchment and surrounding tributaries. Mzingwane Dam near Esigodini itself is a key source for the system, supplying water to Bulawayo. (
Mtshabezi Dam, linked to Mzingwane by pipeline, is another critical reservoir in the network.
During the council meeting, members said those who have spoken against illegal mining near the city’s water sources have faced threats from ZANU-PF aligned elites, emphasising a climate of impunity for politically connected operators.
Concern was also raised that illegal miners are using mercury, cyanide and other hazardous chemicals in and around rivers and dam catchments.
This practice is known to cause water contamination, soil degradation and long-term environmental harm — potentially rendering water unsafe for human and animal consumption and complicating treatment processes.
Residents voiced frustration at the apparent inaction by authorities, particularly the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).
One Bulawayo resident, Sipho Ngwenya, questioned the agency’s role, saying: “I wonder what EMA actually does.”
Another, Mgandane Jays Nyandeni, accused the government of abandoning its duty to protect citizens: “It looks like we don’t have a gvt, because if we had one, they were going to protect the people by stop these illegal miners from poisoning the residents, we are having a mafia state. There is no law in the country, and I think the gold mafia are calling the shots, lafa elihle.”
Another resident, identified as G. Thandaza, said: “Authorities deliberately turn a blind eye to Bulawayo water issues. Budget allocated for water works is pathetic compared to the urgency with which we want water. They thwart any efforts made to increase awareness in Bulawayo. Illegal miners are only adding salt to an injury.”
Environmental experts warn that illegal mining on riverbanks strips vegetation, accelerates soil erosion and increases siltation in dams.
Once silt accumulates in reservoirs, the usable water storage capacity decreases significantly, forcing more frequent water rationing and reducing the city’s resilience to drought.
With two of the major dams — Umzingwane and Upper Ncema — having been decommissioned at times due to critically low levels, Bulawayo’s water security is already precarious.
The added stress of environmental damage could push the city into deeper crisis unless decisive action is taken.
– CAJ News