By Maxwell Mapungwana
HARARE-The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has secured another High Court of Zimbabwe order compelling a local authority to comply with environmental laws and prevent the unlawful discharge of raw or untreated sewage into water sources and the environment.
The order, granted against Chitungwiza Municipality follows an application for a mandatory interdict by EMA, issued on September 30, 2026, under Case No. HCH3235/25.
In terms of the judgment, the Municipality is interdicted and restrained from unlawfully discharging raw or untreated sewage or effluent into any water source, water body or the environment in contravention of the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27].
The Municipality is also required to “take all lawful and reasonably practicable measures within its existing statutory mandate” to prevent such unlawful discharges and ensure compliance with applicable environmental standards.
The development follows numerous engagements between EMA and the Municipality, as well as the issuance of fines and environmental protection orders over sewage pollution. However, the measures reportedly yielded no meaningful action, prompting the Agency to seek the intervention of the High Court.
The judgment strengthens EMA’s efforts to ensure that local authorities comply with established environmental protection and redress mechanisms relating to both solid and liquid waste management.
It also provides the Agency with the option of pursuing contempt of court proceedings should the Municipality continue to disregard the court order.
The latest ruling comes amid growing concern over the discharge of untreated and partially treated sewage into the country’s water bodies. It follows a similar High Court order issued against the City of Harare on October 2, 2026, under Case No. HCH2610/25.
The two judgments reinforce the legal obligations of local authorities to manage waste responsibly and protect the environment from pollution.
EMA has previously raised concern over the deteriorating quality of urban rivers, noting that most monitored rivers contain high nutrient concentrations resulting from the discharge of raw and partially treated sewage effluent.
According to the Agency, many of these rivers exhibit dissolved oxygen levels that do not meet the required standards, while phosphate concentrations in some rivers have exceeded permissible limits by up to 12 times.
The pollution is occurring against the background of an estimated 415 megalitres of raw and partially treated sewage being discharged into the environment daily, placing significant pressure on aquatic ecosystems and raising concerns about public health.
The continued release of untreated sewage into rivers and other water bodies can degrade water quality, disrupt aquatic life and expose communities to health risks, particularly where contaminated water is used for domestic purposes, agriculture or recreation.
EMA is therefore calling on local authorities to adopt best practices in wastewater management to safeguard public health and protect natural ecosystems.
The Agency is also urging local authorities to invest in robust liquid waste management systems, with urgent attention directed towards infrastructure development and the rehabilitation and improvement of existing sewage treatment facilities.
Effective wastewater management, EMA maintains, is essential to reducing pollution, restoring the quality of urban rivers and ensuring that local authorities meet their environmental obligations.
The High Court order against Chitungwiza Municipality marks another step in EMA’s efforts to enforce environmental legislation and hold responsible institutions accountable for preventing pollution. The Agency’s message to local authorities remains clear: compliance with environmental laws and the protection of public health and natural ecosystems must be prioritised.
