WATCH: Chief Sigola’s home destroyed in veld fire

CHIEF Nomalanga Sigola’s thatched house at her Springvale Farm in the Sigola area, about 20 kilometres outside Bulawayo, was destroyed by fire yesterday after a veld fire allegedly sparked by neighbours burning rubbish spread uncontrollably across the surrounding grassland.

The blaze is believed to have started on a neighbouring plot where rubbish was being burnt before strong winds fanned the flames into a veld fire that destroyed more than two square kilometres of vegetation and eventually engulfed Chief Sigola’s traditional homestead.
When the Zimpapers news crew arrived at the scene, the fire had already been contained by the Umzingwane Rural District Council Fire Brigade.

The matter has since been handed over to the police, who reportedly took into custody the individuals suspected of starting the fire.
Speaking to Zimpapers, Chief Sigola said she was grateful that no lives were lost despite the extensive property damage.

Recently appointed substantive Chief of the Sigola area following the death of her father about three years ago, she is awaiting her official installation.

“The fire started yesterday after a neighbour who owns a nearby plot was burning rubbish. I was informed that the fire got out of control and spread rapidly through the veld until it eventually reached my home.

“I was in town when I received a phone call informing me that my guest house had caught fire. I immediately left everything I was doing and rushed to the scene. By the time I arrived, thick smoke had engulfed my homestead and there was very little that the children who were at home could do to stop the flames.

“I quickly contacted neighbouring residents for assistance while we urgently called the Umzingwane Rural District Council Fire Brigade. The firefighters responded promptly and worked tirelessly to contain the blaze, although the fire kept reigniting because of the dry grass and strong winds. Sadly, despite everyone’s efforts, my thatched house and other property were destroyed,” she said.

Chief Sigola said she was still assessing the extent of the damage and could not immediately estimate the value of the property destroyed. An inventory of the losses is yet to be completed.

She described the incident as an unfortunate tragedy that could happen to anyone and commended the fire brigade and local residents for their swift response in preventing the blaze from spreading further.