Kafue River in Central, Copperbelt provinces still polluted

(NAIS) Government has suspended fishing activities along the Kafue River in Central and Copperbelt Provinces.

This is after an assessment by the Central Veterinary Research Institute -CVRI- and the University of Zambia – School of Veterinary Medicine that has confirmed the presence of heavy metal contamination in the river.

In a statement, Fisheries and Livestock Minister PETER KAPALA said this is due to the recent pollution that occurred in Kitwe by Sino Metals.

Mr. KAPALA explained that the spillage of acid and heavy metals from a broken tailings dam, into the Mwambashi Stream, a major tributary of the Kafue River has significantly affected aquatic life.

He noted that government has enhanced Water Quality Monitoring and bio-security protocols to prevent further ecological damage and protect residents in the affected areas.