Limpopo river turns green following contamination

Zimbabwean authorities have launched an urgent investigation after the Limpopo River, a crucial transboundary water source, turned green due to an unidentified chemical contamination.

The alarming discolouration has prompted swift action from the Beitbridge Civil Protection Committee, which has deployed environmental experts and water quality specialists to examine the affected areas. District Development Coordinator Mrs. Sikhangezile Mafu, who heads the emergency response, confirmed the mobilisation of technical teams to monitor the situation closely.

Preliminary investigations by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) have traced the contamination upstream to the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers, near the intersection of Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa. While there are early indications that the source of the pollution may lie within South African territory, authorities are awaiting laboratory test results to confirm the origin and composition of the contaminant.

Despite assurances that Beitbridge’s main water supply at Dam 1 remains uncontaminated, there are growing concerns for communities relying on untreated water from the Limpopo River or nearby Dam 2. “We’re particularly worried about residents who might consume untreated river water or use Dam 2 resources,” Mafu warned.

Specialist teams have collected multiple samples for toxicological analysis, with detailed results expected in the coming days. The town’s treated water typically comes from the Zhovhe Dam system, which feeds into the Limpopo River network through the Umzingwane tributary.

Authorities continue to maintain strict surveillance of Dam 1, where Limpopo River water is treated before municipal distribution.