Speaking during a tour of the heavily polluted Manyame River, EMA spokesperson Steady Kangata said most accidents involving haulage trucks were happening at night, posing a serious risk to both people and the environment.
He said Statutory Instrument 15 of 2011 prohibited haulage trucks from travelling between 6pm and 6am in residential areas in an effort to reduce accidental spillages which pollute the environment.
Kangata said those who violated the curfew risked being fined US$5 000.
“During inception of the instrument we recorded a high number of offenders, but that number has since been reduced,” said Kangata.Last year, a tanker carrying 35 000 litres of petrol burst into flames killing 15 people when it was involved in an accident in Sunningdale suburb while travelling at night.
Kangata said EMA was using various methods to clean up areas affected by dangerous chemical spillages.
He accused local authorities of being the biggest polluters of the Manyame River.
“Manyame River is contaminated with raw sewage and industrial waste mostly from Chitungwiza and we have since engaged all local authorities to try and reduce pollution,” said Kangata.
