Over the weekend, more than 1,000 fish were found dead in Lake Chivero, according to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks).
In a statement issued on Sunday, December 15, Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo attributed the fish deaths to possible poisoning caused by sewage runoff from the Marimba area. Said Farawo:
<blockquote>
At least 1,000 fish were found dead over the weekend in Lake Chivero.
Preliminary investigations indicate that sewage runoff from the Marimba area has forced contaminated water into multiple bays, creating hazardous conditions for aquatic life.
High pollution results in a boom in algae growth, this increases oxygen demand on the water body resulting in high mortality for the fish.
As wind patterns continue to shift, we anticipate that this issue may further impact fish populations across the lake.
In response, our team is currently on the ground carrying out further investigations on a broader scale.
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Zimparks recently confirmed that four rhinos, three zebras, four wildebeests, and four fish eagles, along with several goats and cattle, have died after drinking water from Lake Chivero, the main water source for Harare.
Lake Chivero is facing a severe pollution crisis. The contamination is primarily from sewage effluent, industrial and domestic waste, and agricultural runoff.
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More than a thousand fish were found dead in Lake Chivero in Zimbabwe. The fish may have died because sewage from the Marimba area contaminated the water. Pollution causes algae to grow and use up oxygen, which can harm fish. The issue could spread to other parts of the lake. Other animals like rhinos and zebras have also been affected. The pollution in Lake Chivero is mainly from sewage, waste, and runoff from farms. Authorities are investigating the problem to try to help the animals and clean up the lake.

Sewage Contamination Suspected In Mass Fish Deaths At Lake Chivero

Tshabili Secondary School in Beitbridge experienced a major setback after unknown people administered poison in a fish pond killing all the fish.
According to the <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local/article/200022008/beitbridge-school-loses-fish-to-poisoning">Southern Eye</a>, school authorities recovered a plastic bag with suspected poisonous leaves used to kill the fish.
Beitbridge Rural District Council chief executive officer Peter Moyo told the publication that the fish project was “life” to the local community. Said Moyo:
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This project has been mitigating in terms of protein supply at the school. The proceeds from the fish sales helped to run the learning institution.
Children benefited from harvests when they were given some small allocations and sales in the community answered relish problems. This is disappointing and we hope the culprit is accounted for.
This pond came as a package from one of our partners, World Vision who built this secondary school which reduced the distances children were travelling to access secondary education.
In a village set up like this, projects need to be guarded jealously, they are a life.
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An official from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education said the poisoning of the fish was a major setback. Said the official:
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Villagers from Tshaswingo South, Madaula, Lukange and Lukumbwe have been affected by this sad development.
The enrollment itself in a sparsely populated area shows the impact this school has. Feeding improved attendance and the projects supported this.
The school was able to stop Grade 7 dropouts from jumping the border into SA. This is a drawback.
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The fish pond was built in 2019 together with two classroom blocks and two teachers’ cottages with support from World Vision.
The school now has an enrolment of 400, mostly from poor backgrounds.
Tshabili Secondary School is not new to controversy after some female teachers fled from the school in 2023 alleging sexual abuse by goblins
At present, the school does not have a single female teacher after they were all transferred from the school.
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