Trust calls for relocation of Chinese cement plant blamed for lung disease

REDCLIFF – The Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-SA) is urging Livetouch Investments (Pvt) Ltd, a Chinese company operating a cement factory in Redcliff, Zimbabwe, to prioritise people’s health over profit.

The trust alleges that emissions from the Diamond Cement plant are causing respiratory illnesses, including silicosis, in the surrounding community.

ACT-SA says it contacted the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), the Municipality of Redcliff, and Livetouch Investments after learning about the health problems. While EMA and Livetouch acknowledged the emissions, the municipality did not respond.

According to ACT-SA, Livetouch has not taken sufficient action to address the dust emissions, despite their negative impact on public health. The trust is calling for the relocation of the cement plant if the company can not contain the dust.

“ACT-SA is happy that the Environmental Management Agency responded positively and demanded that Livetouch takes remedial action. ACT-SA is also happy that Livetouch responded and came up with an Action Plan to address the situation, though it failed to implement its own Plan.

“However, ACT-SA is disturbed that the Municipality of Redcliff never responded despite being the main party that created the catastrophe by allowing a cement manufacturing plant to operate in a suburb inhabited by the people.

“It appears that they do not value human lives,” Obert Chinhamo, ACT-SA’s Regional Director said.

“In this case, the cement manufacturing plant should be relocated elsewhere if Livetouch fails to contain the dust emissions at its earliest convenience. In the meantime, Livetouch should stop operations until remedial action is taken. Overall, investors should value human life over money.

“It has also been observed that foreign investors, especially the Chinese, in some areas where they operate violate our national laws and policy frameworks with impunity. I just don’t know why the Chinese in particular do this.”

ACT-SA also criticised the lack of enforcement of environmental regulations. The trust believes that relevant authorities should take swift action to protect public health and the environment.