BRENNA MATENDERE
A CHINESE cement manufacturer, Livetouch (Pvt) Ltd, operating close to a residential area in the Midlands town of Redcliff, has begun implementing measures to reduce dust pollution which could have contributed to the death of several persons due to silicosis, following an exposé by The NewsHawks.
Some stakeholders however believe the company should put more effort to eradicate the problem.
Silicosis is a type of pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling tiny bits of silica.
Livetouch, through its subsidiary Diamond Cement, was exposed for emitting huge amounts of dust that contain silica, which is
common in sand, quartz and other types of rock. The investigation was done between May and August with support from Information for Development Trust.
It established that some residents of Stoneclair Park as well as workers at Diamond Cement and the nearby SteelMakers are suffering acute exposure to the harmful dust emissions.
In March this year, Midlands minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube toured Kwekwe General Hospital where the medical superintendent Dr Patricia Mapanda told delegates that there was an increase in cases of silicosis at the institution. She revealed more than 22 people had died from the disease.
Following The NewsHawks’ investigation, the company held an all-stakeholders’ meeting at its premises on 14 August to discuss the dust pollution. The meeting was attended by
residents, officials from the Environmental Management Agency (Ema) and Redcliff Town Council. Kwekwe District Development Coordinator Fortune Mpungu also attended.
In separate interviews this week, Mpungu, Ema spokesperson Amkela Sidange and Redcliff mayor Vincent Masiiwa said Livetouch has started implementing a plan for dust emission reduction.
“The meeting was attended by stakeholders using the whole-of-government approach. The company is continuously implementing the dust suppression measures such as paving of all roadways, water sprinkling and changing of filter bags,” she said.
When asked if the agency is satisfied with the dust suppression measures taken so far and if it has reccomendations for more to be done, Sidange said:
“That’s why it’s continuous up to the satisfaction of the agency [Ema].”
Redcliff mayor Masiiwa said Livetouch has put in place some measures to reduce dust pollution, but added that more needs to be done.
“Yes, they have done something but they still need to do more, especially the area which surrounds their plant. They are surfacing the area with concrete blocks and they need to speed up the work. They planted trees surrounding the plant, they water the surface with a water bowser. Concrete surfacing is in progress, that’s where they need to speed up,” he said.
Mpungu said his office will be making weekly monitoring visits to the Livetouch plant to ensure that it effectively complies with measures to reduce dust pollution.
“They are making strides in coming up with dust suppression measures. We recommended one or two areas where they might need to redouble efforts. We will be making weekly monitoring visits in order to ensure 100% compliance,” he said.
Obert Chinhamo, director of the Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa, also says the company should implement more measues.
“Livetouch has not done much in addressing the dust emissions. The assertion that planting a tree represents a meaningful solution to the pervasive dust emissions from Livetouch’s operations is, at best, woefully misguided and, at worst, a blatant attempt to obfuscate the true severity of the issue. It is, in fact, a testament to the persistent refusal of authorities and adjacent entities to acknowledge the gravity of the situation,” Chinhamo said.
“The delayed growth cycle of the trees planted is a stark reminder that the detrimental effects of dust emissions will continue to afflict the community for years to come. Livetouch values money over life and that’s why it is ‘snail’ slow in addressing the emissions,” he said.
During the investigation, residents told The NewsHawks that the company’s operations have directly led to deaths due to dust emissions.
Alleged victims include a 32-year-old former employee of SteelMakers Aaron Tatenda Charinya, who died of silicosis early this year.
His family believes dust emissions from Diamond Cement caused the silicosis.
The constitution of Zimbabwe, the supreme law of the land, enjoins everyone, including
investors, to conform to the bill of rights that guarantees the right to life (section 48), and environmental rights (section 73), among other provisions.
In particular, section 73 of the constitution guarantees environmental rights as follows: “(1) Every person has the right — (a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and (b) to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that — (i) prevent pollution and ecological degradation; (ii) promote conservation; and (iii) secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting economic and social development.”
