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Discussions regarding environmental decline in Zimbabwe frequently focus on the actions of certain Chinese-owned enterprises, especially within the sectors of mining, stone extraction, logging, and major construction projects. Local populations have expressed valid worries about sediment buildup in rivers, damage to wetlands, deforestation, noise pollution, and water pollution. These issues require proper consideration.

However, public debate has turned dangerously divided. One group accuses “the Chinese” of causing environmental damage, while another rejects criticism as a political assault on Zimbabwe’s key allies. This misleading choice hides the actual issue: environmental degradation flourishes when institutions are weak, corruption is deep-rooted, and laws are applied selectively.

Zimbabwe requires financial support. It also requires conservation efforts and organizations that enforce the law fairly. These objectives are not conflicting; they should be compatible. Without all three, sustainable progress cannot be achieved.

Zimbabwe possesses abundant natural resources and a wide range of biodiversity, and is keen on drawing foreign direct investment, especially from long-term allies like China. However, such investment can only be advantageous if it is supported by environmental adherence, strong institutions, public confidence, and stable legal systems. Without these elements, progress turns into exploitation, leads to disputes, and eventually backfires.

The law is straightforward—and it is applicable to all

Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27] offers strong environmental safeguards. It ensures the right to a clean and healthy environment and enables the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to implement regulations, control pollution, preserve wetlands, and mandate environmental impact assessments (EIAs) prior to initiating projects.

The law does not differentiate according to nationality. Whether a company is from China, Zimbabwe, or the West, adherence is required.

In the same way, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) Act mandates that all investors adhere to local laws, such as those related to the environment and labor standards. Although ZIDA provides safeguards against unfair treatment, it also demands adherence to the law. Zimbabwe’s legal system already includes the necessary instruments to safeguard the environment; the problem lies in implementation, not in the laws themselves.

Ineffective organizations, arbitrary application of laws, and graft

Even with robust legislation, implementation continues to be uneven. Certain businesses function without proper environmental impact assessments or breach permit requirements with minimal repercussions. Unauthorized river diversions, unchecked waste disposal, and deforestation frequently escape punishment, largely because of insufficiently funded regulatory agencies and inadequate oversight mechanisms.

Corruption makes things worse. When environmental compliance can be bought through bribes or “facilitation fees,” institutions lose their reliability and communities lose faith. Political involvement further weakens enforcement, especially when certain companies claim support from influential individuals.

Local authorities and traditional leaders are not free from responsibility. Certain rural district councils endorse initiatives without following correct protocols, and some traditional leaders grant unofficial approvals or take payments without the community’s agreement. Such actions lead to disputes and enduring environmental damage.

Chinese firms are not the sole perpetrators.

It is deceptive to blame Chinese companies exclusively. Zimbabwean operators have inflicted significant harm via sand mining, illegal brick production, riverbank farming, and small-scale mining. Specifically, artisanal and small-scale miners present a major risk to river ecosystems due to mercury contamination and unregulated digging.

Companies owned by Western entities have also left behind a history of environmental harm, most of which remains unaddressed.

Chinese initiatives draw more attention due to their size, prominence, and political significance. However, Zimbabwe’s environmental crisis is widespread, involving participants from various sectors and different countries. Concentrating on nationality diverts attention from the governance issues that allow exploitation to occur.

The price of failure: conflict and distrust

If laws are not implemented properly, communities tend to hold the investor they observe locally accountable, rather than addressing the hidden institutional issues occurring behind the scenes. This leads to anger, demonstrations, and occasionally violent clashes. These conflicts harm Zimbabwe’s global connections, discourage ethical investors, and weaken sustained collaboration.

A significant portion of this dispute could be prevented. It occurs when organizations do not act impartially, enforce rules uniformly, and safeguard the needs of the public.

What must be done

The EMA is required to apply the law fairly by conducting routine inspections, ensuring open environmental impact assessment procedures, and showing no tolerance for corruption. Public involvement needs to be enhanced, and enforcement measures should be disclosed publicly.

Chinese investors need to recognize that Zimbabwean laws cannot be compromised. Adhering to environmental regulations, land restoration, honoring labor laws, and authentic community involvement are crucial. Steering clear of corrupt practices and demanding legal processes safeguard both the investments and the environment.

Traditional leaders and local officials are required to focus on legal consultation, defend shared resources, and refuse informal or unlawful agreements. Their responsibility is to ensure the protection of community welfare, not to compromise it.

Governments at every level should ensure laws are applied consistently, minimize bureaucratic secrecy, and take action against corrupt officials. Effective cooperation between ZIDA and EMA can offer investors clear guidelines while protecting environmental and community interests.

Zimbabwe is not facing an issue between investment and the environment. Instead, it deals with a problem of governance. Addressing this calls for robust institutions, steady enforcement, and a collective dedication to the rule of law. Only in such a scenario can investment—whether from China or other sources—lead to lasting development for everyone.