The Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has raised alarm over the escalating water pollution on the Copperbelt, particularly in Kitwe and the Kafue River, calling for urgent government intervention through the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA).
ZACA Executive Secretary, Juba Sakala, warned that the contamination poses a severe threat to public health, agriculture, and biodiversity along the river’s stretch.
In a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today, Mr. Sakala attributed the pollution to industrial activities in the region, describing the situation as both an ecological and public health disaster.
“The continued negligence in addressing these pollution activities is an outright violation of environmental laws and consumer rights,” said Mr. Sakala.
He has urged the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) to take immediate action to curb the situation before irreversible damage occurs.
Mr. Sakala has also called on government through ZEMA to implement urgent interventions including comprehensive identification of polluter, legal accountability and full compensation and immediate and strict enforcement of penalties.
He said other interventions include public transparency and awareness, mandatory implementation of pollution control measures and government intervention and policy reinforcement.
By Margaret Mwanza
