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The revelation comes amid reports that more than half of Umguza Nature Reserve was also destroyed by a veld fire suspected to have been started by poachers.
The officer commanding Lupane police district, Chief Superintendent Johannes Govo, confirmed the incident yesterday and said about six farm pastures were completely destroyed by the fire.
“The fire started on Monday afternoon at Inseze forest and we suspect that it was started by poachers. Villagers ignored the fire which consumed the pastures in the farm before spreading to other farms nearby as it raged for days without being put out.
“Six farms that include Seafield Estate, Forester, Hlabathi, Tati, Inseze and Teakdale Estate had pastures destroyed in the fire,” said Chief Supt Govo.
He said villagers had to be force-marched to put out the fire, which could have been avoided to save the pastures.
“I am disappointed in that the villagers watched as the fire destroyed the pastures and continued with their lives. They live in a dry region and most of them rely on animal husbandry which will be impossible without pastures.
‘I would like to encourage the Environmental Management Agency to provide police officers with equipment to control fire so such damages could be avoided in future,” said Chief Supt Govo.
He said police and EMA would soon embark on awareness campaigns to empower villagers.
Online Reporter