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Municipal Correspondent
Illegal sand poaching and brick moulding in and around Harare is causing land degradation, with responsible authorities seeming too reluctant to act.

Among the many areas where environmental damage is severe are the space next to the road block at Delport Road turn off along Seke Road and near Mbudzi roundabout in Waterfalls at a place commonly referred to as Masteps.

At both spots, the sand poachers have dug deep gullies that now pose a danger to humans and animals.

Harare city spokesperson Mr Michael Chideme said the city council had been deploying municipal police from time to time.

Environmental Education and Publicity Manager Ms Amkela Sidanke said the agency was now conducting regular raids together with the police to stop these illegally activities.

“As the agency, we want to encourage local authorities to protect the environment within their jurisdiction by putting in place by-laws to stop such illegal activities,” she said.

Ms Sidanke said local authorities should put in place local by-laws that discourage use of farm bricks in infrastructural development to stop massive illegal brick moulding driven by demand for these bricks.

Farm bricks are permitted in all construction work so long as they meet laid-down standards and are frequently used for non-load bearing walls in urban areas where any weakness is not a problem.