Ema Seeks Tougher Pollution Penalties As River Contamination Persists

Zimbabwe's Environmental Management Authority (EMA) is pushing for significantly harsher penalties against companies that pollute the nation's waterways. Environmental Protection Director Christopher Musvava stated that current fines are too low to influence corporate behavior, emphasizing that penalties must impact a company's bottom line to foster serious pollution control. "They are also in business. I'm sure a penalty should make meaning to their bottom line in terms of business, so that they are also serious about controlling a pollution source," Musvava told legislators.

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The fines and penalties that are obtained in terms of the current law... we have noted that it's not deterrent to be honest in terms of companies that are polluting.

Water contamination has become the country's most pressing environmental issue, now comprising 75.6% of EMA's enforcement activities. The authority is advocating for these stricter measures through the proposed Environmental Management Amendment Bill. Musvava explained, "The major handicap there is the level of fines, and we are trying to address it through the EMA Amendment Bill... to make sure that people become accountable."

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They are also in business. I'm sure a penalty should make meaning to their bottom line in terms of business, so that they are also serious about controlling a pollution source.

Several companies, including Co-Brick Group of Companies and ZPC Hwange Power Station, have faced prosecution for environmental violations. EMA conducts frequent inspections and audits, including quarterly environmental assessments and frequent prosecutions, to monitor compliance. Musvava defended the authority's findings on the Deka River, asserting they are based on years of scientific monitoring, not isolated incidents. EMA has built a comprehensive database by collecting monthly water samples from 2021 to 2025, with analysis conducted at its ISO-accredited laboratory.

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The major handicap there is the level of fines, and so we are trying to address it through the EMA Amendment Bill... to make sure that people become accountable.