Emakhandeni-Luveve Member of Parliament, Descent Bajila, has raised concerns about a school built on a wetland in Bulawayo fearing it could pose a risk to students during heavy rains.
The school, Wellspring Primary, a private institution under Musawenkosi Education Trust, acquired the land in 2002 and received a development permit from the Bulawayo City Council in 2023.
The land in question, spanning 6.4 hectares, is located opposite Luveve Police Station.
Bajila noted that by law, anyone intending to build on a wetland must apply for a permit from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).
“Wetlands are usually drainage areas for water, but when they are misused, it causes flooding as the water table rises because water struggles to find where to go,” the MP explained.
The MP questioned whether the school’s construction violated policy and whether there was a risk for children in the event of a cyclone or heavy rains.
However, in response, Minister of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni, said her ministry, through EMA, inspected the site and carried out an ecological assessment. The assessment concluded that the structures built by the school are confined to the non-wetland area, situated 100 meters away from the edge of the wetland.
“An ecological assessment done by EMA indicated that 23 percent (2.736 hectares) of the land in question is not a wetland. 77 percent (2.937 hectares) is a wetland,” she said, noting that the school was constructed on the non-wetland area.
Dr Nyoni further explained that upon inquiry from the local authority, it was highlighted that the school was allocated more land, 6.4 hectares, than the usual 3.5 hectares granted to schools. This extra land was in consideration of the ecologically sensitive part of the stand, which is not to be built on.
“The way forward is that wetland areas should be left undisturbed or considered for low-impact projects such as sports fields. Secondly, EMA will continuously monitor the site to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations,” she said.
The minister emphasised that the school was instructed to only develop within the designated non-wetland area and that her ministry, through EMA, would supervise compliance.
“If they encroach into the wetland, we will stop that,” she concluded.
No construction should be don on wetlands and Forests they have to be protected
Brighton Ncube a very good confident presenter/interviewee could possibly also read the news