Koala Park Abattoir Fined US$1,000 Over Environmental Breaches

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has fined Koala Park Abattoir US$1,000 for failing to fully comply with environmental regulations.

The penalty follows an EMA inspection carried out last week. The agency was named as the second respondent in an injunction filed by the Katonha twins, Farai Lawyer, and Tendai Mayor, against the abattoir, in which the applicants alleged that the firm’s operations were causing severe air pollution in the paddocks along Seke Road.

In a court report signed by Christopher Mushava, EMA said that Koala Park Abattoir must ensure its paddocks are adequately drained during the rainy season. The agency said this measure is vital to mitigate the foul odours caused by dung and stagnant water sitting for prolonged periods.

The inspection was also launched to determine whether the air pollution along Seke Road was being directly caused by the abattoir’s operations.

EMA established that Koala holds a herd of approximately 4,500 cattle and slaughters around 60 animals a day, depending on market demand. The facility has 29 paddocks, nine of which have already been decommissioned.

According to the report, Koala has initiated a complete decommissioning process, which is expected to be finalised by September this year.

EMA noted that the unpaved roads within the premises are currently watered and treated with a molasses by-product, a practice that reduces dust emissions from the dirt tracks.

However, the agency recommended that Koala continuously monitor these surfaces, particularly during hot and windy weather, which accelerates the evaporation of dust suppressants, and adjust the frequency of the treatments accordingly.

Furthermore, the abattoir has been urged to install signs instructing drivers to reduce their speed on-site, ensuring that any residual dust does not drift onto Seke Road.

Koala must also submit a monthly decommissioning plan and progress brief to EMA for ongoing monitoring.

Following the submission of EMA’s report, the magistrate is expected to deliver a judgment next Tuesday.

More: B-Metro