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People’s Alliance for Change (PAC) leader, Andyford Banda, has condemned government’s alleged failure to enforce environmental laws, saying the recent water contamination on the Copperbelt reflects broader issues of pollution and weak regulatory oversight.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Banda said the incident was not isolated, as past occurrences had shown that political interference and lax enforcement were key factors behind continued environmental degradation.
He accused institutions such as the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) of failing to implement existing laws, attributing their inaction to political pressure from successive governments.
“You find that most of these investors are protected by politicians in government. Another challenge is political interference in the operations of these institutions, regardless of which party is in power,” Banda said.
He criticised politicians for prioritising foreign investors over the welfare of Zambians, arguing that many leaders were afraid to hold companies accountable for pollution that threatens public health, water sources, and livelihoods.
“You will see that this Chinese investor will not even be punished severely enough to deter future polluters. Most of these investors don’t care about our environment,” he stated.
Banda warned that parts of Zambia risked becoming like Kabwe, where lead pollution from past mining operations has left lasting health impacts, including birth defects.
To address the crisis, he called for stronger environmental regulations, increased transparency, and accountability for both government agencies and investors.
“The government must emphasize the importance of environmental protection to officials, agencies, and investors while ensuring that those responsible for environmental degradation are held accountable,” Banda said.
He also questioned State House’s silence on the pollution crisis, saying it underscored the need for greater commitment to environmental protection.
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