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Walter Nyamukondiwa Kariba Bureau
Sanyati River Bridge, which links Hurungwe, Kariba and Gokwe districts, is facing collapse unless artisanal miners are stopped from mining near its foundations.

The miners are also threatening to silt up Sanyati River, which flows into Lake Kariba, and silt up other rivers such as the Ume flowing, also into the lake.

The Mashonaland West and north Midlands rivers provide the only significant Zimbabwean flows into the lake, which has of late been recording low levels.

Government has called on police to look into the illegal mining threatening the bridge, and the livelihoods of communities in Siakobvu, Mola, Bumi Hills, Binga and Gokwe.

The road, which passes through the bridge, is being upgraded into a tarred highway providing direct northern link awaited for decades between the Mashonaland provinces and Victoria Falls.

Nyaminyami Rural District Council acting chief executive Mr John Mugande highlighted the potential of the bridge collapsing, saying it threatened to cut off people in Nyaminyami district from the rest of the country.

“The situation on the ground is such that if nothing is done, Sanyati River Bridge is threatened with collapse because of the activities of artisanal miners,” he said.

“The mining activities were previously upstream of the bridge, but has now moved to the bridge itself, threatening its integrity.”
Kariba district development coordinator Mr Shepherd Marwei raised concern at the development, adding that police would be alerted of the danger.

Several reports have been made to the Environmental Management Agency and officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said the matter was yet to be investigated.

“Reports have been made, but are yet to be investigated,” he said.
“Teams are set to be sent to look at the impact and possibly make recommendations on how the matter can be addressed.”
The bridge is at the boundary of Kariba, Hurungwe and Gokwe districts, making it a major link route.