Bryden Country School, located in Chegutu, Mashonaland West Province, has secured a High Court interim order to stop the construction of a cement manufacturing plant by Shuntai Investments Private Limited.
The proposed plant, which is expected to have an annual production capacity of 800,000 tonnes and create 800 jobs, is being built near the school premises.
The school claims it was excluded from key consultations, especially the ongoing environmental impact assessment.
Its concerns include potential dust and air pollution, noise, water contamination, and increased traffic due to the plant’s close proximity to the campus.
Justice Regis Dembure ordered Shuntai and its affiliates to suspend all activities related to the cement factory, brick moulding plant, and quarry mining project at Plot 8, Eastbourne, in Chegutu.
The project had proceeded without the necessary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Certificate, development permits, and land tenure documents, violating a previous penalty issued by the Environmental Management Agency for non-compliance.
The private school is represented by Joshua George Manyumbu and Andrea Dracos of Gollop &amp; Blank, Bryden School.
The lawyers argued that the plant’s operations could cause significant harm, such as damaging buildings and exposing students and staff to harmful pollutants like cement dust, benzene, and emissions from coal-burning.
Shuntai did not attend the court hearing to contest the matter.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/bryden-school-secures-court-order-to-stop-cement-plant-construction/">The Herald</a>

Pindula News

Bryden Country School in Chegutu won a court order to stop a cement plant from being built near their school. The school was worried about pollution from the plant like dust, noise, and dirty water. The company building the plant did not have all the right permits. The court ordered them to stop all work until everything was sorted out. The school is represented by lawyers who are taking action to protect the students and staff from harmful things that could come from the plant. Shuntai, the company building the plant, did not show up to the court hearing.

Bryden Country School Wins High Court Order To Stop Construction Of Cement Factory

Bryden Country School in Chegutu, Mashonaland West Province, is opposing the construction of a new cement manufacturing plant by Shuntai Investments Private Limited, which is set to have a projected capacity of 800,000 tonnes per annum, due to its proximity to the school.
According to <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/private-school-opposes-cement-plant-construction/">Business Times</a>, the project, expected to create 800 direct jobs once fully operational, is part of Shuntai’s broader expansion plans, which include a large-scale cement and lime factory in Bindura with a 1.2 million-tonne cement production line and a 600,000-tonne lime production line.
Shuntai also plans to establish a grinding station in Bulawayo with a 400,000-tonne annual capacity.
When all projects are operational, Shuntai aims to produce a combined total of 3 million tonnes of cement and lime annually, supporting both the construction and metallurgical industries and generating thousands of jobs.
However, Bryden Country School claims it was excluded from key consultative processes, particularly the ongoing environmental impact assessment.
The school’s authorities argue that they only received relevant documentation last year and were not adequately engaged in discussions.
In response, the school has taken to social media to rally parents and the local community in opposition to the project.
Their main concerns include potential dust and air pollution, noise pollution, water contamination, and increased traffic, given the site’s proximity to the school campus.
Shuntai’s General Manager, Bin Zhou, has attempted to allay these concerns, assuring the public that the plant will use advanced technology designed to minimize environmental impact. Said Zhou:
<blockquote>
This technology is highly advanced and captures air with an efficiency of 95%. It also employs equipment that operates nearly silently, minimising noise within the facility.
Furthermore, the plant design incorporates a closed-loop recycling system for underground water water, which will be reused with minimal waste directed to our garden irrigation.
We are flexible and open to improvements, subject to the authorities’ approval. We even met with the Bryden board on Monday, where we discussed constructing a road away from the school and keeping them informed at every stage of the project.
</blockquote>
Shuntai held a meeting at Bryden Country School on Monday, chaired by the school’s board chairman, Ahmed Noor, before proceeding with a tour of the school.
During the meeting, Shuntai’s General Manager, Zhou, said the company began on-site operations in late January and is currently focused on constructing staff accommodations. In this initial phase, 250 workers, primarily local hires, have been employed.
Zhou also said the company has already built modern housing for 14 families who were relocated and compensated as part of the project.
Once all necessary approvals are obtained, the construction of the cement plant is expected to take 10 months before production begins.

Bryden Country School is fighting against a cement plant being built close to their school in Chegutu. The plant will create many jobs and produce a lot of cement and lime. The school is worried about pollution and traffic from the plant. The plant's manager says they will use advanced technology to reduce pollution. The school wants more say in the project. The plant has started construction but still needs approvals before it can start operating.

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