14th June, 2022

It has been over a year since the inception of this petition with the purpose to give voice to those that are against the destruction of the forest on Nkhudzi mountain, Lake Malawi National Park, World Heritage Site. With the aim to have the project relocated to a safer, cheaper location that does not damage the fragile ecosystem in the area that wildlife and people depend on. Providing potable water in a sustainable manner for a better future for Malawi. 

In March Southern Region Water Board obtained a stay order for 21 days from the Supreme Court on the injunction that was granted to the CSO’s by the High Court, this allowed them to continue work. Instead of continuing the construction at the treatment plant, they chose to accelerate their efforts on the access road within the Lake Malawi National Park, World Heritage Site. Extension applications for the stay order were to be made within the first 7 days inter parties. Contrary to this rule, extension was given a few days after the 21 days had expired through a notice from the Supreme Court judge to the law firm. A new hearing date was set for 20th of May.

PLEM Construction has been working throughout, out of working hours and through the weekend. This is against the conditions that were set out by MEPA. Since March there have been two more days of blasting explosives within the World Heritage Site; on the 3rd of May, three blasts. On the 18th of May, five blasts. No sirens were sounded before blasting to warn people and animals, no indications were given as to when the blasting was over and that the area was safe. Two earth tremors passed through the area on the 3rd of May and 5th of May.

On 20th of May court hearing was held. Court reserved it's ruling to June 7th and for reasons unknown further extended the stay to that day. On 7th June, ruling was delayed to 9th June. On the morning of the 9th of June, a notice was received from court informing that the judge says the ruling is still not ready and will not be delivered on that day but on a future date to be advised. Construction work continues unabated in the LMNP.

https://www.mwnation.com/how-loans-get-wasted/

World Environment Day on the 5th June dawned on Nkhudzi mountain with the sound of many people chopping and collecting firewood on the mountain, using the new road for easy access into the once pristine inaccessible forest in the National Park, once a safe haven for many threatened and vulnerable species that reside here.

On 8th of June, SRWB was given an award by Vitens Evides International in the Netherlands for ‘its efforts in environmental preservation’. On the 11th of June the public hears for the first time, of the launch of the new initiative, Mangochi Water For Life Pro Poor Project funded by the Dutch Utility Company Vitens Evides International with the amount of K158 million.

https://times.mw/srwb-receives-international-award/?amp=1

https://www.mwnation.com/minister-touts-srwb-for-potable-water-provision/

Today the contractors have moved their base camp from the first village houses outside the park to inside the Lake Malawi National Park, World Heritage Site and are now camped at the tank site, on the top of the mountain. A parking area has been cleared for the machines where servicing is taking place at the bottom of the mountain road.

Where they camped they have left behind rubbish, dumped indiscriminately and most blown and swept into the park despite village rubbish pits meters from their camp. 

Complaints to them and Department National Parks and Wildlife rangers to ensure the park is not littered have had no effect. 

Note: Before the project began the LMNP on the Namaso side was entirely cleared of rubbish due to weekly litter pick ups.

No efforts have been made to dispose of their rubbish, or use the machines to assist the village to dig rubbish pits or toilets. No mitigation measures of any sort are being carried out.

Reports from Mazinzi Bay all the way to Chirombo Bay and Monkey Bay is that not only is their scenic view of the mountain affected by the scarred mountain side, but now at night there are also lights on the mountain.

There are rumors that pottery and bones were dug up at the tank site and quickly disposed of. 

There seems to be no monitoring whatsoever of the loss and destruction of heritage or flora and fauna.