Government has taken swift action following the contamination of the Kafue River, ordering the shutdown of Sino Metals Plant, suspending the abstraction of raw water from the Mwambashi River by Nkana Water and Sewerage Company, and applying lime to neutralize water acidity.
Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Collins Nzovu, confirmed that the contamination of the Mwambashi and Kafue rivers has disrupted water supply in Kitwe and Kalulushi.
Delivering a Ministerial statement in the National Assembly today, Mr. Nzovu revealed that the pollution has destroyed maize and groundnut fields in local communities and caused fish deaths in the rivers.
He stated that on February 19, 2025, authorities contained the discharge of leach residue from the tailings dam by repairing a breach in the dam wall using waste rock and laterite.
“A team of experts from WARMA, ZEMA, the Mines Safety Department, and Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation is currently on-site, conducting hourly water tests to assess the extent of contamination,” said Mr. Nzovu
He said that based on the test results, the team will determine how long it will take to clear the pollution
Mr. Nzovu warned Copperbelt residents against consuming fish from the affected rivers, stressing that it is unsafe.
The minister assured the public that the government will provide adequate compensation to affected individuals and ensure Sino Metals faces legal sanctions while also being held accountable for cleaning up the pollution.
By Margaret Mwanza
