Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
Livestock farmers in Beitbridge West constituency are counting their losses following the destruction of grazing land by a veld fire that has been raging in wards 6, 7, and 14 in the last two weeks.
Teams from the affected areas including Mzingwane, Nottingham, River Ranch, Mathavha, Malala, Tshibidzanani, and Masera have been taking turns putting out the fire with the help of the Disasters Risk Management team.
Beitbridge’s Head of Forestry Commission, Mr Zibusiso Ndlovu said the situation in the area was devastating considering that livestock production is one of the anchors of Beitbridge’s economy.
He said they estimate that 6 000 hectares of pastures could have been destroyed by the fire whose cause is yet to be determined.
“The first report we got from the National Fire Steering Committee is that 1 094 hectares were burnt at the inception of the fire. However, from our assessment now on the ground, indications are that 6 000 hectares could have been destroyed,” said Mr Ndlovu.
“At the moment, we are working with the communal farmers in the wards so that we put out the fire and work on fire guards.
“The support we are getting from everyone is encouraging. Our hope is to contain the fire before more damage is done”.
Mr Steve Pocock from the Rangeland Regeneration Trust, which is working with communities on conservation issues said the veld fire had damaged huge tracts of grazing lands.
He said they had mobilised traditional leaders and community leaders including Chief Tshitaudze of Beitbridge West, who has been on the ground leading the firefighters.
“The level of commitment by the community is impressive, on the other hand, the destruction of grazing lands will affect livestock farming.
You will note that 70 percent of the people in this area survive on livestock rearing-related activities,” said Mr Pocock.
A communal farmer from the River Ranch area, Mr Godfrey Dube said he was very concerned with the level of destruction in the communal grazing lands. He said the community’s fear was that the pastures will deplete should there be low rains in the coming summer cropping season.
Mr Rueben Shoko from Malala said more people were volunteering to put out the fire daily.
“We have been fighting this fire for more than seven days and our hearts are bleeding as livestock farmers.
However, we will soldier on until we contain it,” said Mr Shoko.
Chief Tshitaudze said the state of affairs was worrying considering that the district lost hundreds of cattle in the last successive droughts.
He said it was critical for communal members from the surrounding awards to work together in containing the fire.
“The fire is uncontrollable; we need professional assistance so that we don’t lose the volunteers trying to put out the fire. At the same time let’s avoid starting unnecessary fires around the bush, pastures are very critical in sustaining our livestock economy,” said the traditional leader.
He said they had agreed in principle as community leaders to fine those caught starting forestry fires.
The traditional leader encouraged the disaster risk management committee to ensure that people were trained in basic fire management knowledge. – @tupeyo
Online Reporter