The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) of Zimbabwe has called on corporates to emulate the proactive steps taken by Padenga Agri-Business, a leading crocodile skins producer, in constructing a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant.
Speaking last month at the plant’s launch in Kariba, Christopher Mushava, Director of Environmental Protection at EMA, praised Padenga’s investment of US$1.2 million as a model of environmental leadership, urging other businesses to ensure wastewater is treated before discharge to protect water bodies and the broader environment.
“You don’t want to be a free rider. It’s not good to cooperate with citizenship,” Mushava said, emphasizing the importance of corporate responsibility. “What we have seen here is an excellent idea of a company that is following the lines of being a good leader. We have invested US$1.2 million to put in this wastewater treatment plant and their process, which is what is supposed to do. All corporates must put pre-treatment waste facilities before discharging into the environment to make sure that our environment is protected. I think that would be my message. And voluntary compliance is key.”
Padenga Agri-Business’s initiative, which prevents untreated effluent from polluting surrounding waterways, has been lauded by EMA and environmental experts as a significant step toward sustainable environmental management. The treatment plant, equipped with advanced technology, ensures that wastewater meets local and international standards, setting a benchmark for other industries in Zimbabwe’s agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
Mushava also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen environmental regulations, noting that the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27], enacted in 2003, is currently undergoing amendments.
“What is basically happening is that at the moment it is undergoing a process to amend it, to make sure that we bring in emerging issues around environmental management, but most importantly to bring deterrent penalties and fines,” he explained. “I think that is what is currently lacking, that’s the gap that we have seen, and we are hopeful that eventually when that law is amended, it’s going to bring deterrents that we are looking at, which is quite important for compliance to take place, because compliance is a game of opportunity.”
The call for tougher penalties comes as Zimbabwe grapples with rampant water pollution and land degradation, often linked to unregulated industrial and mining activities. Recent reports indicate that EMA has struggled to enforce compliance due to fines that many polluters view as insufficient deterrents, with maximum penalties ranging from US$500 to US$5,000 for serious offences like water pollution.
Globally, corporate water pollution remains a pressing concern. According to the latest statistics, industrial and agricultural activities contribute to over 70% of global water pollution, with corporations responsible for discharging hazardous chemicals, untreated wastewater, and plastics into rivers, lakes, and oceans.
A 2024 report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) revealed that more than 80% of wastewater worldwide is released into the environment without adequate treatment, affecting an estimated 3.6 billion people who lack access to safely managed sanitation. In developing regions, agricultural runoff and industrial discharges are major culprits, with heavy metals, nitrates, and pathogens contaminating water sources at alarming rates. These figures underscore the urgency of EMA’s push for corporate accountability and investment in sustainable practices, as exemplified by Padenga.
Padenga Agri-Business’s efforts have been widely praised, with environmentalists and officials hailing the company as a leader in corporate environmental stewardship. Engineer Boniface Mfula from the Zambezi River Authority also commended Padenga, noting that the treatment plant will significantly reduce water pollution in the region. “This investment demonstrates their commitment to responsible environmental practices and sets a standard for others to follow,” Mfula said.
However, challenges persist. Recent investigations, including those by Oxpeckers and local media, have shown that many Zimbabwean companies and local authorities continue to pollute water sources, often due to inadequate infrastructure and weak enforcement. Cases like the US$10,000 fine imposed on Harare City Council in 2016 for river pollution highlight the scale of the problem, yet critics argue that such penalties fail to deter repeat offenders.
EMA’s push for amended legislation aims to address these shortcomings by introducing stricter fines and penalties that act as genuine deterrents. Until then, the agency is encouraging voluntary compliance, with Padenga’s wastewater treatment plant serving as a shining example. “We need more corporates to take responsibility and invest in solutions like this,” Mushava stressed. “The environment can’t wait.”
