Govt probes Mazowe dam crisis amid siltation fears

The Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Dr. Polite Kambamura, says Government is intensifying efforts to investigate the persistent decline in water levels at Mazowe Dam, amid concerns that illegal mining activities may be contributing to severe siltation within the catchment area. This comes as the ZINWA reports that the dam remains at a critically low 13 percent capacity, despite the country receiving significant rainfall this season.

Dr. Kambamura acknowledged that illegal mining has long been associated with land degradation, stream pollution and sediment flow into major water bodies.

However, he emphasised that the Government will not rely on assumptions but will instead adopt a coordinated, evidence-based approach to determine the exact drivers of the dam’s alarming decline.

“We are aware of the reports linking illegal mining activities to the siltation affecting Mazowe Dam.

“However, the Government is working closely with relevant ministries and technical departments to conduct a detailed assessment. We want to establish the true root cause of this challenge so that we can take corrective action based on verified information,” he said.

The minister added that environmental management teams, hydrologists and mining inspectors will be deployed to conduct on-the-ground investigations.

“We must protect our water bodies. Our dams are a lifeline for irrigation, domestic supply and economic activities. Identifying what is damaging the catchment area is our top priority,” he noted.

ZINWA’s recent hydrological update has raised concern, given that several other dams have recorded healthy inflows this year. In contrast, Mazowe’s stagnation suggests a deeper ecological and structural problem that requires urgent intervention.

Mazowe Dam’s decline is more than an isolated environmental issue but it is a potential threat to agriculture, livelihoods and water security in the region. Government’s commitment to thoroughly investigating the causes, rather than reacting on assumption, provides a structured path toward sustainable restoration. Once the root problem is identified, authorities will be better positioned to implement targeted interventions, protect critical water sources and safeguard communities that rely on this vital reservoir.