Veld fires kill four in 3 months

Andile Tshuma, Chronicle Reporter
FOUR people have so far died due to veld fires since the start of the fire season in July.

Environmental Management Agency (Ema) national spokesperson Mr Steady Kangata said three of the four veld fire victims were senior citizens.

Two people died in Matabeleland North province and the other two died in Mashonaland West.

He said a 95-year-old man, Sign Andrianna died while gathering wild fruits in a bushy area in Chegutu on September 23.

“Mr Sign Andrianna was mentally challenged and was advanced in age, so he could not escape the fire. The fire destroyed 500 hectares of land,” said Mr Kangata.

He said earlier in the same month, a fire claimed the life of 57-year-old Ms Elizabeth Chinengu at Paradise Farm in Zvimba.

Mr Kangata said the woman was killed by the fire that she had started to clear land in preparation for the farming season. Mrs Phindile Moyo of Zimdabule Village (69) in Umguza died while cutting grass in her plot last month when she found herself surrounded by a fire which came from a neighbouring plot.

The fourth victim,  identified as Khondanani Lungu of Ward 8 at Plot 16 in Umguza, who also died last month was in the field when a fire broke out.  He tried to put it out alone but it overwhelmed him.

Mr Kangata said the country had so far recorded a 25 percent increase in veld fires countrywide compared to the same period last year.

The number of fire incidents increased by 63 percent, while the total area destroyed has increased by 13 percent compared to the same period last year.

“A cumulative total of 858 473 ha have been burnt by fires to date compared to 755 204 ha last year,” he said.

“A cumulative total of 1 776 incidents have been recorded since the onset of the fire season as compared to 1 121 incidents recorded during the same period last year.

“The majority of fires recorded were as a result of land clearing, suspected poachers and the majority are still under investigation. A total of 2,23 percent of the country has been affected by fires,” said Mr Kangata.

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