EMA threatens to demolish houses built on wetlands

Environment Management Agency (EMA) Education and Publicity manager Mr Steady Kangata said houses built on wetlands in Masvingo must be demolished as their construction violated the Environmental Management Act. He said anyone who intends to put up a structure on a wetland must first seek approval from EMA as failure to do so attracts a fine and the structure must be demolished.

Kangata told The Chronicle that all stuctures built on wetlands face demolition:

All wetlands are protected by the law and no one should interfere with their existence. What we do as EMA is to fine the developer heavily and the local authority will seek a demolition order to have the buildings destroyed. While Masvingo could have the same problems and house owners are experiencing flash floods, Harare and Chitungwiza are the worst affected.

Masvingo Mayor Hubert Fidze said all houses built on wetlands will be demolished by council. Some houses in Rujeko High Density and Mucheke’s ZBS suburbs were built on wetlands, raising the risk of flooding as well as disturbing the ecosystem.

More: Chronicle