Three family members die in inferno

MIDLANDS - THREE family members were burnt beyond recognition in Chirumanzu District when their home was gutted by a veld fire started by their fellow neigbour, the Chronicle reports today.

Environment and Monitoring Officer for Midlands, Leonard Berekwa confirmed the death of the three victims whose names could not be ascertained.

"Three members of the same family, an aunt and her sister's two kids died on the spot on September 29. The three were burnt beyond recognition and the third child is still admitted at Gweru Provincial Hospital where she's receiving treatment".

Berekwa said property worth more than $11,000 was destroyed by veld fires in various parts of the province.

He said some of the property destroyed included a farmhouse at Hargley Estates in Lalapanzi area of Chirumanzu district, a tractor and some houses in the province.

In Somabhula area's Ward 15, a YTO tractor valued at $5,000 was burnt at Gables Makate Ranch. The same fire destroyed approximately 15,000ha in Gweru and Shurugwi districts. We'll keep educating our communities, especially our farmers in fire fighting strategies to avoid loss of life and property," said Berekwa.

He said veld fires were likely to destroy more hectares of vegetation this year compared to last year since more than 88,000 ha of land have been destroyed already compared to over 90,000ha in the 2013 season.

Berekwa said the four districts with the highest veld fire incidences are Chirumanzu, Shurugwi, Gweru and Kwekwe, in that order.

The districts with the least fire incidences are Zvishavane and Mberengwa while the two Gokwe Districts (North and South) are on positions five and six.