THE Impact Assessment Association of Zambia (IAAZ) says the pollution of Mwambashi River, a tributary of Kafue River, has exposed critical weaknesses in environmental emergency preparedness, response coordination and environmental compliance enforcement. Association president Luwita Changula says the acidic pollution is a clear warning that Zambia’s environmental preparedness and regulatory enforcement must improve. In a statement, Changula stated that the incident underscored a lack of proactive monitoring, structured emergency response plans and consistent implementation of mitigation measures to prevent, control and remediate environmental damage. “The acid discharge into the Mwambashi Stream in Chambishi, and its spread to the Kafue River is more than just an environmental incident. It is a wake-up call that has exposed critical weaknesses in environmental emergency...