derick.khumalo
Amos Mpofu
[email protected]
THE village head of Sihlengeni under Chief Nomalanga Sigola has blamed alleged negligence by a neighbouring plot owner for the veld fire that destroyed the traditional leader’s home, calling for stronger adherence to fire prevention measures to protect communities during the dry season.
The blaze, which broke out on Thursday and continued into Friday, razed Chief Sigola’s thatched house at Springvale Farm in the Sigola area, about 20 kilometres outside Bulawayo.
Village head Mr Martin Mabaleka alleged that the neighbouring plot owner started the fire while burning waste without putting in place a fireguard or taking other precautionary measures to prevent the flames from spreading.
He said while the Sigola community had experienced frequent veld fires in the past, many of which were suspected to have been started by illegal miners, locally known as amagweja, it was disappointing that the latest incident had allegedly been caused by a fellow farmer.
Mr Mabaleka said veld fires pose a serious threat to livelihoods as they destroy homes, grazing land and the environment.
“We take causing veld fires as a serious offence. We have never handled incidents of veld fires without involving the police to deal with those responsible,” he said.
“Therefore, we have handed over those believed to have caused the fire that destroyed the Chief’s house to the police for investigation and further action, as EMA always emphasises the proper handling of such offences. I believe there was negligence and a certain degree of recklessness in the way the fire was started.”
He urged community members to avoid burning waste in the open and instead dispose of it safely while ensuring any fires are constantly monitored until they are completely extinguished.
“We are saying they should burn their waste in a pit and closely monitor the fire to ensure it is fully controlled before it spreads,” said Mr Mabaleka.
“We are calling upon our community members to work together with their leadership and put into practice what EMA teaches us about preventing veld fires, including constructing fireguards around our communities. Veld fires are a real threat to farming communities and other settlements.”
Mr Mabaleka also commended community members who joined efforts to contain the blaze, as well as the Umzingwane Rural District Council Fire Brigade, whose crews reportedly returned to the scene three times after the fire repeatedly reignited at Chief Sigola’s homestead.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
