By Andrew Muvishi
Marondera Municipality has once again been fined US$5K by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) for discharging raw effluent into the environment.
This is not the first time the local authority has been penalized.
In 2021, the council was fined ZWL $90,000 for discharging raw effluent into water sources.
In 2022, another fine of ZWL $50,000 followed.
This year, EMA imposed a penalty of US$5,000.
EMA Mashonaland East Provincial Environment Education and Publicity Officer Astas Mabwe confirmed tje charge.
“Following a joint inspection of the sewage reticulation infrastructure of Municipality of Marondera by inspectors from EMA and council engineers on March 4, 2026.
“It was observed that Dombotombo, Chicago, Cherutombo and Rufaro pump stations and Elmswood treatment plant were not functional.
“No effluent was reaching Elmswood treatment plant,” Mabwe said.
Repeated Fines
These repeated fines highlight a disturbing pattern for the Council.
Marondera has consistently neglected its core mandate of service delivery while indulging in questionable deals that benefit a select few officials.
Residents of Marondera have long endured broken sewage systems, erratic water supply, and uncollected refuse.
The raw effluent discharge, which contaminates water sources and endangers public health, is the latest evidence of a council that has failed to invest in critical infrastructure.
EMA’s intervention underscores the severity of the crisis.
However, the council’s response has been muted, raising serious questions about its priorities.
Resident Complaints
“We are drinking water that smells of sewage, and the council do not care,” said Tendai Mandizvidza, a resident of Dombotombo.
“They keep paying fines, but nothing changes for us.
”After striking a deal with Mega Market, residents expected a revamp of water and sewer reticulation systems.
Instead, the council surrendered 150 hectares of prime municipal land to the company in exchange for luxurious vehicles for senior officials.
It has been condemned as reckless and self-serving of how public assets are being traded for personal comfort rather than community welfare.
The symbolism of the deal is stark.
While sewage flows untreated into the environment, council officials cruise in brand-new cars.
Rather than channelling resources into repairing water treatment plants or upgrading waste management systems, the municipality chose indulgence.
The cars serve only a handful of officials, while the majority of residents continue to suffer from poor service delivery.
Civil society groups, residents, and governance watchdogs have denounced the transaction as a betrayal of public trust.
Many argue that the deal reflects systemic corruption and a disregard for the needs of ordinary citizens.
The controversy has reignited debates about governance, transparency, and accountability in local authorities.
Pressure has also shifted to the Ministry of Local Government to intervene.
Residents have called for independent audits to expose the full extent of mismanagement.
“This is not just mismanagement.
“Its corruption dressed as development,” said Simbarashe Dube, a member of a local residents association.
“We demand accountability.”
———————————————–
Love what we do? We’re dedicated to opening up democracy, one article, video and story at a time. If you find our reporting helpful, you can support the Magamba Network team by buying us a coffee. It’s quick, easy, and makes a real difference!
—————————————————–
