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Takawira Photoveteran Dapi
ONE person was killed in Murehwa District in a veld fire while 120 000 hectares of land have been destroyed in Mashonaland East Province.
Mashonaland East Environmental Management Agency (EMA) education and publicity officer, Astas Mabwe, confirmed the incident.
“The fire season has started and it will end on the 30th of November 2023 as gazetted by the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
“Mash East province lost over 120 000 hectares to veld fires, worse losing a life in Munamba Ward of Murehwa District.
“Therefore, as EMA, we are urging people to be vigilant in preventing veld fires.
“As EMA, we are reminding farmers and communities that it’s now an offence to start a fire outside your residential areas.
“They should construct and acquire heavy fire fighting structures and equipment, at the same time educating and often reminding each other about these veld fires,” said Mabwe.
He added:
“It is an offence to refuse to help in putting out any fire anywhere.
“As a province, our top districts in veld fire prevalence are Chikomba, Seke, Hwedza and Marondera, in that order.
“EMA is targeting to reduce veld fires by 50 percent as dictated by the NDS 1 Development Strategy.”
Maruta Village head, Samba Ticharwa Maruta, urged villagers to be vigilant in fighting veld fires.
“It is illegal to start any outdoor fire before informing your community in time.
“Secondly, people should start fires early in the morning when it is wet and in the evening when it is not windy.
“Fireguards must be put in on time.
“The elderly, children and mentally challenged people should stay away from where veld fires are started,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu
Mathew Masinge