The Sunday News
Tinomuda Chakanyuka, Senior Reporter
PELANDABA-MPOPOMA representative in the National Assembly Cde Joseph Tshuma has expressed concern over delays by the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) to release findings of investigations into alleged environmental hazard posed by Davis Granite’s operations in Mpopoma high density suburb in Bulawayo.
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’s operations.
Investigations into the complaints were complete in June last year and a preliminary report was produced, but efforts to get a copy of the report from the CPU have been futile since then. The team that conducted the investigations involved officials from the Environmental Management Agency, the Bulawayo City Council and the Government.
CPU chairperson and Bulawayo Provincial Administrator Mrs Khonzani Ncube last week said she could not comment on the matter when Sunday News inquired.
“I can’t comment on that at the moment. I’m in a board meeting can you call me after an hour,” Mrs Ncube said on Wednesday last week.
She, thereafter, was no longer answering her mobile phone until the time of going to print.
Cde Tshuma said the report was critical in mapping the way forward on the matter and it was important that the CPU avails its findings. He said he would engage the PA and ensure that the report is released before the end of this week.
“As the Member of Parliament for the affected area I will personally engage the PA so that we know what is happening. After a week that report should be out and shared with the public,” said Cde Tshuma.
Added Cde Tshuma, “We don’t want to be seen making decisions from hearsay. We need to get the report as soon as possible to inform whatever decision we shall make. The decision has to be professional.”
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, last year wrote to the residents saying it would only accept responsibility if an independent engineer assessed 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. -@irielyan
