The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
THE Government will not hesitate to order the destruction of boreholes drilled on wetlands, while construction equipment found on such sites is subject to confiscation, Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province Mr Tafadzwa Muguti has said.
In a statement on Wednesday, Mr Muguti said no form of development would be permitted on wetlands.
“It has been noted that water extraction permits are being issued for drilling boreholes and harvesting natural spring water in wetlands,” he said.
“There is also a growing concern over local authorities who are applying for change of land use from wetlands to commercial or residential stands.
“The Environmental Management Agency has been advised not to issue any full or partial authorisations to developers and local authorities on wetlands.”
Harare Wetlands Trust and Harare residents’ representatives, he said, raised concern over illegal water harvesting taking place in the capital.
“Members of the public are advised that all wetlands in Harare Metropolitan Province have since been gazetted by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) through a Cabinet directive,” he said.
“As such, no construction or agricultural activities are allowed in wetlands. Zimbabwe is a signatory to several global conventions on the protection of wetlands and so, as a Provincial Government structure, we shall not tolerate any form of wetland invasion.”
