The usually calm and serene community of Maphisa in Matobo district has been plunged into fear and uncertainty following a suspected chemical spillage allegedly from the Nevada 24 Mine dump site.
The yet to be identified substance is believed to have flowed into the Mazayi River, leading to the death of fish and raising concerns over water safety in the region.
Locals began noticing an unusual number of dead fish floating along the Mazayi River following the recent rains, triggering widespread alarm.
The river, which runs close to the Antelope Dam — the main water source for the Maphisa community — has become a source of concern, with locals suspecting that the contamination could be cyanide, a highly toxic chemical commonly used in mining.
Mahetshe village headman, Shakespeare Ndlovu, his assistant, and Ward 19 Councillor Nqobizitha Ngwenya (CCC) took the Southern Eye on Sunday crew on a tour tracing the suspected source of the contamination.
Along the banks of the Mazayi River, lifeless fish floated in the green-tinged water and sludge coated the riverbed.
Cattle were seen drinking from the polluted stream — painting a grim picture of the unfolding environmental crisis.
“I am standing next to the spillway of the Antelope Dam and Mazayi River, which we believe brought contamination,” Ngwenya explained.
- Fear grips Maphisa after mine spillage
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“The water, which killed the fish did not come from Antelope Dam, but from Mazayi River.
“We followed the contamination trail and found sludge that we suspect is the source. If it rains again, the situation will worsen.”
As the inspection continued upstream, Ngwenya pointed out an abnormal greenish tint in the rivers.
“We are not used to this colour in this river. Something is not right,” he said.
“This water should be clear and clean.”
The trail of contamination led across a road and pointed directly to the Nevada 24 Mine dump site, where sludge was seen spilling toward the river.
Ngwenya was visibly troubled by what he termed a failure in environmental assessment procedures.
“We need to see the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report,” Ngwenya stated.
“If it was properly done, it should have noted that any spillage would affect the Mazayi River.
“We are still vulnerable. More rains could wash more sludge into the river.
“It’s unacceptable and needs urgent rectification.”
Until the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) releases its official report, Ngwenya urged residents to be extra cautious.
“We advise people not to drink from the Mazayi River and not let their children swim there,” he said.
“If livestock die mysteriously, it may be linked to this.
“We don’t want to face a medical emergency when our hospitals are already overwhelmed.”
Mahetshe headman, Shakespeare Ndlovu, echoed the same sentiments.
“EMA and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority visited the area, but we are still waiting for answers. Our community is scared,” Ndlovu said.
A local villager voiced frustration over long-ignored warnings.
“When we raised concerns about these mines, we were brushed off. Now look,” the villager fumed.
“The contamination can affect areas downstream like Tshelanyemba. We need prevention, not regrets.”
Environmental watchdogs have weighed in, calling for stricter enforcement of regulations.
Africa Carbon Markets Forum (ACMF) chief executive, Anglistone Sibanda,described the incident as a result of negligence.
“This recklessness threatens biodiversity, livestock, and human life,” Sibanda said.
“We urge regulators to work with civil society for lasting solutions.”
Centre for Natural Resource Governance, Farai Maguwu, said unregulated mining was a cause concern.
“What we see in Mazayi is the same tragedy we saw at Lake Chivero and Zambezi Valley,” Maguwu said,
“EMA must be empowered to act independently and effectively.”
One of the Nevada 24 Mines directors, Muchineripi Garufu distanced the company from the allegations.
“We operate under the guidelines of EMA and Ministry of Mines and any other government institutions,” Garufu said.
“As of the raised incident we distance ourselves from it because we have never heard of any spillage or dam break since January 2025.
“We have tested the water from the Upper stream ,middle stream and the downstream that runs from the dam and the results came negative of any cynide contamination.
“We also have never witnessed or heard any deaths of animals from drinking water off that stream.”
EMA provincial manager for Matabeleland South, Decent Ndlovu, confirmed that investigations are underway.
“At the moment we don’t know what caused the death of those fish,” Ndlovu said.
“We are doing our investigations, we’ve done them, we’re still continuing one, which we actually took samples at the affected areas and the suspected discharges, which people are alleging, including the dumps nearby for the mine that is close by, so that we check the composition in terms of if it contains any contamination.”
