Chitungwiza – A group of Chitungwiza residents and ratepayers has lodged a formal petition with the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), demanding urgent action over what they describe as rampant industrial pollution that is poisoning waterways, endangering public health, and violating constitutional rights to a clean environment and safe water.

The petition, presented on July 4, 2026, by community representative Mr. Felix Chihoro, alleges that industries operating in the Chitungwiza Surface Industrial Area are discharging oily effluent directly into a river behind the industrial zone in flagrant violation of the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27].

Residents argue that the untreated industrial waste is flowing into Lake Chivero, the primary raw water source for the entire Harare Metropolis and Chitungwiza, compromising the lake’s integrity and creating a cascading public health crisis.

“We are worried by the discharge of industrial effluent (oily substances) into the river behind Surface Industrial Area,” the petition states. The petitioners contend that while Section 59 of the Environmental Management Act requires industrial undertakings to install pre-treatment facilities before discharging waste into sewer systems, these provisions are being brazenly ignored.

Polluter Pays Principle ‘Not Enforced’

Central to the residents’ grievance is the failure to operationalize the “polluter pays” principle enshrined in Section 4(g) of the Environmental Management Act. The petitioners argue that pollution fines have proven woefully inadequate as a deterrent.

“It has become cheaper to pollute than to comply with environmental laws,” the petition reads, warning that the current enforcement regime has made compliance economically irrational for offending companies.

Constitutional Rights Under Siege

Citing Sections 73 and 77 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe (Amendment No. 20), 2013, the petitioners assert that every citizen is guaranteed an environment not harmful to health or well-being, as well as the right to safe, clean, and potable water. The pollution, they argue, directly undermines these constitutional guarantees.

The residents further highlight that Lake Chivero’s deterioration—fueled by industrial waste and an estimated 250 million litres of raw sewage entering the lake daily—has already resulted in decreased water production, skyrocketing purification costs, a ban on fishing activities, and devastated biodiversity. Ordinary citizens, they say, are bearing the financial burden through increased water tariffs and loss of livelihoods.

Prayer for Redress

The petition urges the ZHRC, which is constitutionally mandated under Section 243 to investigate human rights violations and secure appropriate redress, to:

· Investigate the environmental rights violations occurring behind the Surface Industrial Area
· Secure appropriate remedies for affected residents
· Recommend effective legislative measures to Parliament to strengthen environmental protections
· Conduct in-depth research into corporate water pollution and its impact on social justice

The petition concludes with a plea for the Commission to take the matter into favourable consideration and ensure all necessary measures are taken to protect human life and uphold constitutional rights.

The development comes amid growing alarm over Lake Chivero’s pollution, with recent research warning that the lake’s water now poses cancer risks up to 15 times greater than those associated with HIV.

The government unveiled an $80 million Lake Chivero Pollution Mitigation and Restoration Plan for 2026–2030 in February, but residents say immediate enforcement action is needed to stem ongoing industrial violations.