Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
A 107-year-old woman from Bengo Village in Ward 17, Gwanda District, tragically died after her clothes caught fire while she was in her kitchen hut. Gogo Perina Zhou passed away on Tuesday at around 12PM.
Neighbours reported hearing her cries for help as her body was engulfed in flames.
Her daughter, Ms Sithenjiwe Ndlovu, said her mother was last seen alive that morning.
“My mother was staying with a domestic worker who looked after her. On Tuesday morning, the worker prepared a fire in the kitchen hut, served her tea, and left her in the bedroom before going out,” she said.
“In the afternoon, a neighbour called out to me and said my mother was on fire. When we arrived, she was lying on the ground, her body burnt, and she was no longer moving.”
Ms Ndlovu said the incident was deeply shocking, especially given her mother’s independence.
“She was still able to do light chores and move around. She could even prepare food for herself. It’s heartbreaking to lose a mother in such a terrible way.”
She said that her mother’s long life had been a blessing to the family, and her sudden death was a painful loss.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Chiratidzo Dube, confirmed the incident and said investigations were underway.
“I can confirm that we recorded an incident where a 107-year-old granny was burnt to death.
“Perina Zhou was alone at home, and around 12PM she was seen by a neighbour screaming outside the kitchen hut, her body in flames,” she said.
“When villagers reached her, she was lying lifeless on the ground with small flames still visible. The matter was reported to the police, who attended the scene. The body was taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital mortuary, where it awaits post-mortem.”
Inspector Dube described the incident as unfortunate and urged communities to take extra care of elderly family members.
Local Councillor Mr Ntuthuko Mabaleka said the tragedy had left the community in shock. He noted that Gogo Zhou was likely the oldest resident in the area at the time of her death.
“It’s always a privilege to have someone as old as Gogo Zhou in the community. People who reach that age usually pass away peacefully, so to lose her in such a tragic manner is heartbreaking. We mourn with the family, and the entire community is in shock,” he said. —@DubeMatutu
