Zimbabwe Parliament: Calls for State of Emergency Over Harare Sewage Crisis

In Zimbabwe, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife has called for a state of emergency in Harare due to a severe public health crisis caused by the collapse of the city's wastewater management system, as detailed in a report tabled in July 2025.

The report paints a grim picture of Harare's environmental and public health predicament, revealing that raw sewage is continuously flowing into rivers that feed Lake Chivero, the capital's primary water source. Nationally, only 20 of Zimbabwe's 63 sewage treatment plants are functional, with the operational ones discharging an estimated 570 megalitres of raw sewage daily. In Harare, the flagship Firle Wastewater Treatment Plant, designed for 144 megalitres per day, processes only 54 megalitres, while the Crowborough plant is entirely non-functional. The committee identified Amalinda Crossing as a critical hotspot, where collapsed trunk mains have been discharging approximately 80 megalitres of raw sewage daily into the Mukuvisi River, which flows into Lake Chivero, a problem that has persisted for 15 years. Furthermore, the Budiriro Pump Station has been non-functional since 2014, leading to raw sewage overflowing into the Marimba River and residential yards, exposing residents to harmful pathogens. Repairs to the infrastructure are not expected until June 2027.

This parliamentary call for a state of emergency highlights a profound legal and public health crisis, signaling the potential for extraordinary government intervention and resource allocation. The widespread environmental pollution and infrastructure failure have significant implications for human rights, public health, and environmental law. Key parties involved include the Parliament (specifically the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife) as the oversight body, the City of Harare as the primary municipal authority responsible for service delivery and infrastructure maintenance, and the residents of Harare who are directly impacted by the health and environmental hazards. Other relevant entities may include the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).

From a legal context, this situation implicates several key statutes and regulatory frameworks. The Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27] is central, as it governs pollution control, environmental protection, and places duties on local authorities to prevent environmental degradation. The Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15] outlines the statutory responsibilities of municipal councils, including the provision and maintenance of sanitation and public health services. Furthermore, the constitutional provisions regarding states of emergency would be relevant should such a declaration be made, allowing for exceptional measures to address the crisis. For legal practitioners, this scenario presents various avenues for engagement. Attorneys may advise clients on environmental compliance, potential civil litigation (e.g., class actions against the City of Harare for negligence or breach of statutory duty), and regulatory enforcement actions by the EMA. Businesses operating in Harare, particularly those with environmental discharge responsibilities or reliant on municipal services, must closely monitor developments, as stricter regulations or enforcement actions could follow. Understanding the legal framework for declaring and operating under a state of emergency would also be crucial should such a declaration be made.