AGP Executive Report

Chemical Spill: A truck carrying 540 drums of sodium cyanide lost 90 at Chivhu roundabout; about 20 were open. The Environmental Management Agency says specialists have cleaned the spill, but the toxic chemical can harm people and wildlife if it reaches water. Water and Drought: The Zambezi River Authority cut Kariba’s 2027 power-generation allocation to 23 billion cubic metres, citing El Niño and below-normal rainfall forecasts. Zimbabwe plans a US$500 million drought reserve, split between cash and grain, as it prepares for a dry 2026/27 season. Air Quality: Harare officials visited Kampala to study its air-monitoring network as the city explores setting up its own system to track pollution and guide action. Wildlife: A young photographer’s award-winning image of a dung beetle was taken on a family game drive in Zimbabwe, shining a spotlight on the country’s small but remarkable wildlife.

Kariba Water: The Zambezi River Authority has cut the 2027 power-generation allocation from 36 billion to 23 billion cubic metres as El Niño raises the risk of below-normal rain. Zimbabwe and Zambia will each receive 11.5 billion cubic metres; Kariba’s usable storage stood at 36.68% on 14 October. Drought Preparedness: Zimbabwe plans a US$500 million cash-and-grain reserve to protect food supplies. The government forecasts a 1.6 million-tonne maize harvest, below annual needs of 2.2 million tonnes, and has bought about 200,000 tonnes for strategic reserves. Mining and Communities: Government has urged traditional chiefs to oppose mining that damages rivers, farmland, sacred sites and ancestral graves, renewing concerns about the environmental costs of mineral extraction.

El Niño Preparations: Zimbabwe plans a $500 million cash-and-grain reserve as drought threatens the 2027 harvest. The country expects 1.6 million tonnes of maize, below its annual need of 2.2 million. Mining and Heritage: A government official has urged traditional chiefs to act against mining that damages ancestral sites, rivers and farmland, putting community livelihoods and natural resources at risk. Fire Danger: A veld fire in Shurugwi killed a woman, destroyed homesteads and burned grazing land, underscoring the danger as fire season approaches. Disaster Readiness: Harare residents’ groups are urging the government to prepare for floods ahead of the rainy season and restore basic public services.

Veld Fire: A blaze in Shurugwi killed a woman, destroyed homesteads and burned grazing land, renewing warnings about uncontrolled fires as the hot season approaches. El Niño and Food Security: Zimbabwe faces a projected grain shortfall of 267,000 to 542,000 tonnes in 2026/27, with poor rainfall and rising fuel and fertiliser costs among the risks. Rainy-Season Readiness: Harare residents’ groups are urging government and the city council to fix drainage, waste collection, water and sewer services before the rains, warning that blocked drains and poor services heighten flood and disease risks. Urban Air Quality: Kampala’s network of more than 100 pollution monitors offers lessons for Harare as it seeks ways to tackle urban air pollution. Wildlife: Rhinos are back in northern Zimbabwe, highlighting the country’s conservation draw.

Veld Fires: A fire in Shurugwi killed a woman, destroyed homesteads and burned grazing land, putting livestock livelihoods at risk as the fire season approaches. El Niño and Food Security: Zimbabwe faces a projected 2026/27 grain deficit of 267,000 to 542,000 tonnes as poor rainfall and rising input costs threaten production. Disaster Preparedness: Harare residents’ groups are urging urgent repairs to drains, roads and water and sewer services before the rainy season, while a warning that forecasts alone do not prevent disasters highlights the need for practical readiness. Sewerage: Gweru residents face recurring blockages; while dumped waste is a factor, the city has also previously acknowledged that wastewater stations are overwhelmed.

Harare Flood Readiness: Residents’ association CHRA urged government and city council to fix drainage, improve waste collection and restore water and sewer services before the rainy season, warning that blocked drains and illegal dumping raise flood and disease risks. El Niño Planning: Zimbabwe faces drought and flood risks, but a forecast alone is not a disaster plan: authorities need crews, equipment, evacuation routes and tested response arrangements before emergencies hit. Food Security: South African church leaders warn that El Niño-driven hunger in Zimbabwe could push more people across the border and strain community relations, calling for coordinated action and food banks. Weather Monitoring: Zimbabwean firm FreedPer is expanding access to weather and environmental monitoring technology, addressing data gaps that hamper forecasting, farming and water management. Gweru Sewers: Residents are blamed for dumping waste into drains, but Gweru’s long-running blockages also point to overwhelmed wastewater infrastructure that needs attention.

Disaster Preparedness: A warning on Zimbabwe’s 2026–27 rainy season says forecasts alone cannot prevent disaster: crews, equipment, evacuation routes and communications must be ready in advance. Climate and Food Security: Churches warn that El Niño-driven hunger could push more Zimbabweans to seek food in South Africa, while the government is considering suspending food import duties to cushion consumers if local harvests fall short. Weather Monitoring: Zimbabwean firm FreedPer is partnering with US technology companies to expand access to weather and environmental data, addressing gaps in monitoring that affect forecasting, farming and water management. Urban Services: Gweru residents face repeated sewer blockages, but the city’s explanation puts the blame on dumped waste while earlier concerns about overwhelmed wastewater stations remain unresolved.

El Niño and Food Security: Zimbabwe plans to suspend food import duties to cushion consumers if El Niño-related crop shortages push up prices. Extreme Heat: A survey including Zimbabwe found most maternal health workers had seen more heat-related complications for pregnant women and newborns in recent years. Disaster Preparedness: Harare residents’ groups are urging authorities to clear drains, strengthen flood warnings and prepare evacuation plans ahead of the rainy season. Weather Damage: A severe hailstorm damaged homes and vehicles in Masvingo, prompting a state of disaster declaration. Climate and Child Marriage: A review of Zimbabwe’s action plan says climate shocks are among growing pressures that can drive child marriage, while gaps in funding and enforcement persist.

Food Security: Zimbabwe plans to suspend food import duties if El Niño-related crop shortages push up prices, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube says. The measure is part of a broader plan to protect households from climate-driven supply risks. Rainy-Season Readiness: Harare residents’ groups are urging authorities to clear drains, remove dumped waste, strengthen flood warnings and fund disaster response ahead of the 2026–27 rains. Farm Resilience: As the government promotes drought-tolerant crops, critics say farmers also need affordable seed, reliable irrigation, credit and weather information to withstand poor rainfall. Mining and Rivers: Communities in Chimanimani say illegal gold mining has polluted the Haroni River with machinery oil and damaged river ecology and nearby farms. Extreme Weather: A destructive hailstorm in Masvingo damaged homes and vehicles, prompting the government to declare a state of disaster.

Land Rights: MACRAD has raised concerns over reported displacement and intimidation of communities in Chiredzi, urging authorities to ensure residents are informed and involved in decisions affecting their land. Rainy-Season Readiness: Harare residents’ groups are calling for urgent drain clearing, flood warnings and disaster-response plans ahead of the 2026–27 rains, amid warnings of normal to below-normal rainfall and El Niño risks. Mining Pollution: In Chimanimani, villagers say gold excavations along the Haroni River have polluted water with machinery oil and damaged riverbanks and nearby farmland, threatening local livelihoods. Water Access: A new solar-powered borehole in Feversham, Chiredzi, ends a 26-year reliance on a spring shared with wildlife and vulnerable to contamination. Wildlife Policy: Environment Minister Evelyn Ndlovu is pressing for international restrictions on wildlife trade to be lifted, arguing that revenue could support conservation.

Land Rights: MACRAD has raised alarm over reported displacement and intimidation in Chiredzi, calling for communities to receive clear information, meaningful consultation and protection of their livelihoods and ancestral ties. Disaster Preparedness: Harare residents’ groups are urging urgent action ahead of the rainy season, including clearing blocked drains, repairing roads and bridges, improving early warnings and funding emergency plans. Drought Resilience: As Zimbabwe prepares for the 2026/27 season, farmers need affordable seed, reliable inputs, working irrigation and credit—not just advice to plant drought-tolerant crops, an opinion piece argues. River Pollution: Miners operating along the Haroni River in Chimanimani have reportedly polluted the water with machinery oil, threatening local farms, communities and riparian ecosystems. Clean Water: In Feversham, Chiredzi North, a solar-powered borehole has ended a 26-year reliance on a spring shared with wildlife, reducing exposure to contaminated water.

Responsible Mining: Zimbabwe is among six Southern African countries in a five-year UN programme to strengthen responsible critical-mineral value chains, improve local processing and address environmental and social standards. Wildlife Conservation: Environment Minister Evelyn Ndlovu is urging international bodies to lift wildlife-trade restrictions, arguing revenue could fund conservation; ZimParks says the country holds more than 100 tonnes of ivory and six tonnes of rhino horn. Water Access: A solar-powered borehole has ended a 26-year wait for clean water in Feversham, Chiredzi, where families had relied on a spring shared with wildlife. Climate Risks: Zimbabwe is bracing for a strong El Niño, while recent flash floods and a destructive Masvingo hailstorm highlight the need for early preparedness and resilient infrastructure. Water Security: MPs have raised concerns about mining near catchments and the protection of dams that supply towns, as government points to ageing water-delivery infrastructure.

Responsible Mining: Zimbabwe is among six Southern African countries in a five-year UN programme to build more environmentally and socially responsible critical-mineral value chains. Extreme Weather: The government declared a state of disaster after flash floods destroyed 8,500 homes; a separate hailstorm also prompted a disaster declaration in Masvingo. Climate Resilience: Zimbabwe is bracing for a potentially severe El Niño, with drought preparation urgent. A €14 million EU-IFAD programme aims to strengthen climate-resilient horticulture in Zimbabwe and the region. Water Security: MPs raised concerns about mining near catchments and the reliability of water supplies. The government pointed to dams as the main bulk-water sources and cited infrastructure constraints. Wildlife: Conservation reports highlight the return of rhinos to northern Zimbabwe and the collaring of six elephants in the Hwange landscape.

Water Security: MPs questioned how Zimbabwe will protect catchments from mining and other threats. Ministers said the country’s bulk water comes from dams, but the exchange left catchment safeguards unclear; Bulawayo’s main challenge was described as water conveyance and distribution. Mining Pressure: Lithium exports have surged, while Bikita Minerals seeks more time to meet the 2027 beneficiation deadline, saying its processing plant will not be ready until July. The growth puts renewed focus on managing mining’s effects on water and the environment. Climate Resilience: A €14 million EU-IFAD programme will help smallholders in Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries adopt water-efficient, climate-resilient horticulture. Extreme Weather: A hailstorm damaged buildings at three Masvingo institutions, prompting a call for public facilities to insure infrastructure against natural disasters. Wildlife: Zimbabwe has joined five other southern African countries in a Vulture Safe Zone Alliance to address poisoning, habitat loss and other threats to declining populations. Rhinos have also returned to Matusadona National Park, with 17 relocated animals now roaming the reserve. Climate and Girls: A global study that included participants from Zimbabwe links climate shocks with heightened risks of early marriage, unintended pregnancy and violence against girls.

Water Security: A parliamentary exchange over Bulawayo’s supplies exposed concerns about mining near catchments. Minister Daniel Garwe said the city’s bulk water comes from dams, not rivers, while MPs pressed for protection of water sources. Climate-Resilient Farming: The EU and IFAD launched a €14 million programme to help smallholders in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana improve water use, seeds and pest management; it aims to reach 15,000 farming households. Extreme Weather: After hail damaged buildings at three Masvingo institutions, the government urged public facilities to insure their infrastructure. Heat and Health: A global survey including Zimbabwe found 73% of maternal health professionals had seen more heat-related complications for pregnant women in the past five years. Climate and Girls: A study that surveyed girls in Zimbabwe and four other countries linked climate shocks to disrupted health and education services, and increased risks of child marriage, pregnancy and violence. Wildlife Recovery: Seventeen rhinos have returned to Matusadona National Park after years of protection work by African Parks and ZimParks.

Severe Weather: A hailstorm and flash floods in Masvingo damaged thousands of homes, prompting a State of Disaster declaration; officials reported about 8,500 homes with roofs blown off. Heat and Health: A survey including Zimbabwe found 73% of maternal health professionals had seen more heat-related pregnancy complications in the past five years, with many also reporting harm to newborns. Climate Preparedness: Zimbabwe is bracing for a potentially severe El Niño, while aid officials have assessed climate shocks in Binga. Early action against drought will be crucial for farmers and food security. Environmental Monitoring: The Environmental Management Agency plans to decentralise laboratory facilities, which could strengthen local environmental testing.