Davis Granite investigation complete

25 Jun, 2017 - 02:06 0 Views

The Sunday News

Tinomuda Chakanyuka,Senior Reporter
INVESTIGATIONS into fears of an environmental hazard and feared collapse of houses in Bulawayo’s Mpopoma suburb and surrounding areas due to operations by a local quarrying company — Davis Granite— are now complete with findings expected this week.

Residents in Mpopoma and surrounding areas last year expressed fear that their houses risked collapsing as a result of rock blasts being carried out by Davis Granite.

There were also complaints over pollution from quarry dust emanating from the quarrying company.

Civil Protection Unit (CPU) chairperson and Bulawayo Provincial Administrator Mrs Khonzani Ncube told Sunday News that findings of investigations into complaints raised by residents would be out on Tuesday.

She said the team which conducted the investigations had come up with a preliminary report which was being finalised before being made public.

The team that conducted the investigations involved officials from the Environmental Management Agency the Bulawayo City Council and the Government.

“We conducted investigations following complaints from residents. Right now what we have are preliminary findings which we can’t make public yet.

“There are areas we need to clarify first. We are going to have our final meeting on Tuesday as a team after which we will be in a position to make our findings public,” she said.

Mrs Ncube added, “It’s something (the investigation) that had to be done thoroughly involving a lot of experts. We received complaints from residents and we had to act.”

Davis Granite which is located along Old Khami Road is said to be continuously blasting rocks within their firm premises to which residents have attributed cracks emerging on their houses. The residents fear their houses will eventually collapse.

However, Davis Granite officials have been on record denying that the company operations were affecting houses in surrounding areas.

The company, earlier this year wrote a letter to the residents saying it would only accept responsibility if an independent engineer was to assess their houses and attribute the cracks to the company’s operations.

“Following several meetings with yourselves and your councillor we write to confirm that Davis Granite does not believe that their quarrying operations and blasting has caused any cracks in houses in the neighbouring areas.

“If, however, it can be proven that our operations have caused any damages we would clearly compensate.

“What we agreed last was that if those individuals affected could get a report from a qualified engineer, stating that Davis Granite had caused damage, and detailing what the damage was then Davis Granite would consider the matter,” reads the letter dated 22 February 2017 and signed by the company’s chief executive officer, Mr Kenneth Jerrard.

Ward Nine councillor, Charles Moyo accused Davis Granite officials of not treating the matter with the seriousness it deserves.

He said the company had assessed the cracks with some officials acknowledging that the company could be responsible.
Clr Moyo said the decision by the company to deny responsibility and insist on residents engaging an independent engineer was regrettable.

Sunday News has also gathered that some of the affected houses might have outlived their lifespan. The report by CPU will shed more light on the arising issues.
@irielyan

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