EMA Confirms 5,000-Litre Chemical Spill After Truck Crash on Harare–Bindura Highway

EMA teams are leading clean-up operations after a truck transporting Liquid Aluminium Sulphate overturned near Mazowe, spilling an estimated 5,000 litres of the chemical.

By Southerton Business Times | MAZOWE

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has confirmed a hazardous chemical spill following a road traffic accident involving a truck transporting Liquid Aluminium Sulphate along the Harare–Bindura Highway, with authorities urging the public to stay away from the affected area. The accident occurred at around 5:30 am on 23 July 2026 near the 42km peg in Mazowe District, resulting in the spillage of an estimated 5,000 litres of the industrial chemical.

In a public notice issued on 24 July, EMA said emergency response teams were immediately deployed to contain the spill and minimise its environmental impact.

"Emergency response operations are currently underway, being led by EMA to contain and recover the spilled material," the agency said.

According to EMA, approximately 2,000 litres of the chemical have been recovered from the accident scene, while the remaining 3,000 litres was absorbed into the roadside soil.

"Approximately 2,000 litres of the spilled chemical were subsequently recovered, while the remainder was absorbed into the roadside soil," EMA said.

The agency said environmental remediation work will continue, including the excavation and safe disposal or treatment of contaminated soil to reduce the risk of pollution.

EMA has advised motorists, nearby residents and farmers to exercise extreme caution while clean-up operations continue. The agency warned members of the public not to enter the barricaded area or come into contact with contaminated soil or any residual liquid. Parents have also been urged to keep children away from the site, while livestock owners have been advised not to allow animals to graze near the affected area. Motorists travelling along the Harare–Bindura Highway have been encouraged to follow instructions from emergency personnel managing traffic around the accident scene.

Liquid Aluminium Sulphate is commonly used in municipal water treatment, wastewater purification, paper manufacturing and other industrial processes. It acts as a coagulant, helping remove suspended particles from water. Although it is not classified as highly flammable, direct exposure can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory system, while large spills may alter soil and water chemistry if not properly contained. Environmental experts generally recommend immediate containment and remediation to prevent contamination of nearby watercourses and ecosystems. EMA said it will continue monitoring the clean-up operation until the site has been rehabilitated and restored as far as possible to its original condition.

Harare Bindura chemical spill