Online Reporter
AS Zimbabwe’s cold season — typically spanning mid-May to mid-August — draws to a close, the nation is once again confronted with a frightening reminder of the dangers posed by fire braziers (imbawula). The recent tragedy in Mabasa Village, Zvishavane, where five people lost their lives after inhaling toxic fumes from a brazier left burning overnight in a closed room, is not just heartbreaking — it is preventable.
Every winter, similar stories emerge from across the country. Families seeking warmth fall victim to the invisible threat of carbon monoxide poisoning. These are not isolated incidents, but part of a recurring and deadly pattern that demands urgent public awareness, behavioural change and policy intervention.
Fire braziers are widely used in Zimbabwe, particularly in rural and low-income urban communities, due to their affordability and accessibility. However, when used in poorly ventilated spaces, they become lethal. Carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless gas produced by burning charcoal or wood, displaces oxygen in the bloodstream. Victims often succumb in their sleep, never waking up.
This is not a uniquely Zimbabwean problem. Across the globe, similar tragedies have occurred. In South Africa, dozens of informal settlement residents die each winter from carbon monoxide poisoning or fires caused by braziers and paraffin stoves.
In the United Kingdom, public health campaigns warn against using charcoal grills indoors for the same reason. In 2021, a family in Texas, USA, died after using a charcoal grill inside their home during a power outage caused by a winter storm. These examples show that the danger is universal — but so too is the solution: awareness, education and safer alternatives.
We urge all Zimbabweans to exercise extreme caution. Never leave a brazier burning in a closed room while sleeping. Always ensure proper ventilation and if possible, extinguish the fire before going to bed. Communities must take collective responsibility to educate one another, especially in areas where safer heating options are limited.
Government and local authorities must also step up. Public health campaigns should not be seasonal — they must be sustained and far-reaching. Safety messages about the use of fire braziers should be integrated into school curricula, community meetings and media programming. Moreover, investment in affordable, safe heating technologies is essential. Innovation in this space could save lives.
As we reflect on the lives lost in Zvishavane, let us not allow their deaths to be in vain. Let their memory serve as a call to action.
Safety begins with awareness, and every life lost to preventable causes is one too many.
The cold season may be ending, but the lessons must endure.
