Zimbabwean Authorities Launches Investigation After Limpopo River Turns Green After Contamination

Authorities Launch Emergency Investigation Into Limpopo River Contamination

The Beitbridge Civil Protection Committee has mobilised water quality specialists and environmental experts to assess the mysterious discolouration affecting the transboundary waterway. District Development Coordinator Mrs. Sikhangezile Mafu, who chairs the emergency committee, confirmed the deployment of technical teams along the affected areas.

ALSO READ: No Royal AM No Probem: MamMkhize breaks silence after turning tables

Environmental Management Agency (EMA) investigators have tracked the greenish water contamination upstream to the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers near the tri-border region where Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa meet. Initial observations indicate the pollution may originate from South African territory, though conclusive evidence awaits laboratory analysis.

Critical Water Supplies at Risk

While Beitbridge’s primary water source at Dam 1 remains unaffected, officials express grave concerns about communities relying on untreated water from the Limpopo River and secondary reservoirs. “We’re particularly worried about residents who might consume untreated river water or use Dam 2 resources,” Mafu cautioned.

Testing Underway, Results Pending

Specialized teams have collected multiple water samples for toxicological analysis, with comprehensive test results expected within days. The town typically sources its treated water supply from the Zhovhe Dam system, which feeds into the Limpopo River network via the Umzingwane tributary.

ALSO READ: Mike Chimombe Applies For Case Discharge in High Court Over Goat Tender Controversy

Authorities maintain strict monitoring of Dam 1, where Limpopo River water undergoes purification before distribution to municipal users. The crisis highlights the vulnerability of shared water resources in southern Africa’s arid regions and the need for enhanced international cooperation on environmental protection.