The once-vibrant Lake Chivero, Zimbabwe’s lifeline for Harare’s water supply, is now the center of a devastating environmental disaster. Pollution has transformed this critical resource into a death trap for wildlife and a source of concern for millions of residents. With alarming reports of wildlife deaths, toxic water contamination, and economic impacts, urgent action is needed to avert a full-scale catastrophe.
Mass Deaths of Wildlife and Aquatic Life
Lake Chivero’s crisis escalated after the deaths of four iconic white rhinos, along with zebras, wildebeests, fish eagles, and thousands of fish. Investigations by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) confirmed that cyanobacteria-contaminated water, primarily polluted by untreated sewage from Harare, is to blame.
A visit to the lake painted a grim picture: dead fish carpeting the shores, algae blooms turning the water green, and a pungent stench of decay and sewage hanging in the air. “The contamination has created hazardous conditions for aquatic life and wildlife alike,” said ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo.
To mitigate further damage, ZimParks relocated the surviving rhinos and banned fishing activities. However, the ban has left local communities, many of whom depend on fishing for survival, in economic turmoil.
Livelihoods Under Threat
For communities around Lake Chivero, the suspension of fishing is more than an environmental issue—it’s an economic crisis. Norton legislator Richard Tsvangirayi highlighted the plight of local fishermen, particularly the youth, who rely on the lake for their income.
“This suspension is a severe blow to livelihoods. I urge the government to fast-track investigations and provide immediate support to affected families,” Tsvangirayi said.
A Call to Declare a National Disaster
Former Harare Mayor Herbert Gomba has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to declare Lake Chivero’s pollution a national disaster. Gomba argues that the crisis has outstripped the capacity of local authorities and requires urgent national intervention.
“The water and sewer systems have decayed. A holistic overhaul is long overdue,” Gomba said, adding that decades of neglect under former President Robert Mugabe’s administration are partly to blame. He pointed to the failure to construct the Kunzvi and Musami dams—projects that would have allowed Lake Chivero to be rehabilitated—as a missed opportunity that worsened the current crisis.
Infrastructure Failures and Environmental Mismanagement
Experts say Lake Chivero’s woes stem from Harare’s overwhelmed sewer systems, which process over 200 megaliters of waste daily despite being designed for just 80 megaliters. The excess sewage flows into the lake, triggering algae blooms and wildlife deaths.
Goodlife Mudzingwa, program manager at the Community Water Alliance, stressed the need for expanded infrastructure: “We need to invest heavily in sewer systems to stop this pollution at its source.”
Norton faces similar challenges, with untreated sewage from informal settlements flowing into Darwendale. Gomba proposed a dedicated sewer plan for the area to prevent further contamination.
What’s Next for Lake Chivero?
While the government has banned fishing at the lake to facilitate investigations, the crisis demands more than short-term fixes. Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume announced that a fact-finding mission is underway to chart the next steps.
Public sentiment remains divided. Many support the fishing ban for public safety, while others are concerned about the economic fallout for local communities.
A Wake-Up Call for Zimbabwe
Lake Chivero’s pollution crisis highlights the urgent need for decisive, coordinated action to protect Zimbabwe’s water resources. Declaring it a national disaster could unlock critical funding and set the stage for long-overdue infrastructure upgrades.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Without immediate intervention, the ripple effects of Lake Chivero’s contamination will endanger wildlife, human health, and the livelihoods of countless Zimbabweans. The time to act is now.