Mbezi River

Mbezi River (Mto Mbezi in Swahili) is located in Dar es Salaam Region of Tanzania. It begins in Kwembe ward in Ubungo MC and eventually drains into Zanzibar Channel at Kawe ward of Kinondoni MC. With several neighborhoods and two wards bearing its name, the river has a long history in Dar es Salaam.^[1][2]

Mbezi River
Native name	Mto Mbezi (Swahili)
Location
Country	Tanzania
Region	Dar es Salaam Region
District	Ubungo & Kinondoni
Wards	Kwembe, Msigani, Mbezi, Saranga, Goba, Makongo, Mbezi Juu & Kawe
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Kwembe, Ubungo MC
• coordinates	6°48′27.72″S 39°4′54.48″E
Mouth	Zanzibar Channel
• location	Mbezi Beach, Kawe, Kinondoni MC

Threats

Metal contamination

Like all the rivers in the city, the Mbezi River has faced environmental degradation over decades. Geo-accumulation index, contamination factor, degree of contamination, modified degree of contamination, potential contamination index, and environmental toxicity quotient have all indicated that sediments from Dar's rivers are polluted, with Msimbazi and Kizinga river sediments being more polluted. This is true even though enrichment factor indicates varying contamination status of heavy metals in rivers.^[3]

Metal contamination levels for Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu, Al, Mn, Fe, and Zn were assessed using sediments from the Kizinga, Mbezi, Msimbazi, and Mzinga coastal rivers. Most of the higher concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cr, Al, Mn, Fe, and Zn were found in the Msimbazi River. While higher Ni and Cu concentrations were found in the Kizinga River, higher Mn concentrations were found in the Mbezi River. Except for Mn, Mzinga River has the lowest amounts of most metals. Mn concentrations were lowest in the Kizinga River.^[4]

Erosion

Residents of the historic hamlet living in the river plain near the outlet in the informal settlement of Ukwamani. The area was declared a flood danger zone by the government, and habitation or construction was outlawed there. The authorities began relocating the citizens; owners were given compensation, but the majority rejected the transfer. This region's river serves as a garbage disposal site, agriculture, and backyard. The most abrupt event among river behaviors, unexpected floods frequently affect the residents of Ukwamani.^[5]

Quarry mining

The middle and lower reaches of the river are home to seasonal sand miners. Sand is removed from the dried riverbed and sold as the primary ingredient in brickmaking. Although mining is a lucrative river-related industry, it has been made illegal to safeguard the banks. The practice's outlawry resulted in the establishment of criminal enterprises that now run the industry. ^[6]

References

1. Justin, Mhina Given, et al. "Mapping the gap of water and erosion control measures in the rapidly urbanizing Mbezi river catchment of Dar es Salaam." Water 10.1 (2018): 64.
2. Mhina, G. J., et al. "Suitability of storm water runoff for water supply in fast urbanizing cities: The case of Mbezi River catchment in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania." Journal of Building and Land Development 21.1 (2020): 1–13.
3. Mihale, Matobola J. "Metal contamination in sediments of coastal rivers around Dar es Salaam, Tanzania." Huria: Journal of the Open University of Tanzania 27.2 (2021).
4. Mihale, Matobola J. "Metal contamination in sediments of coastal rivers around Dar es Salaam, Tanzania." Huria: Journal of the Open University of Tanzania 27.2 (2021).
5. "When the River Crosses a City: Dar es Salaam and the Mbezi". Retrieved 4 August 2023.
6. "When the River Crosses a City: Dar es Salaam and the Mbezi". Retrieved 4 August 2023.