PRISCA MANYIWA-MASUKU
MIRROR REPORTER

KWEKWE – Kwekwe General Hospital Acting Medical Superintendent, Dr Bruce Mhondiwa has dismissed reports of cases of silicosis at Livetouch cement manufacturing plant in Redcliff as reported in various social media platforms recently.
There were reports on social media recently that a worker from Livetouch died from silicosis amid an outcry from residents of Redcliff particularly Stoneclare that the company was contributing to heavy pollution in the area.
Silicosis is a respiratory infection emanating from inhalation of silica dust over a long period of time.
Dr Mhondiwa said that some areas around Kwekwe which are dotted with mines have reported silicosis infections but so far there has been no case from Livetouch.
Livetouch Safety Health and Environmental Officer Etwin Tembo said the company regularly conducts medical examinations on its employees to ensure that everyone is healthy.
“There are many mines that surround Kwekwe and have recorded silicosis cases from areas like Zhombe. According to our data, we have nothing from Livetouch or the areas around their mine,” said Dr Mhondiwa.
“We conduct pneumoconiosis medical examinations regularly and submit reports to National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and as of now we haven’t received the last batch of those we last sent,” said Tembo.
Redcliff Municipality, EMA and other stakeholders have been pushing for tighter interventions against dust emmissions.