Elderly Buhera Man Dies After Veld Fire Turns Deadly

By Southerton Business Times Reporter | Buhera

An 84-year-old man from Mupariri Village under Chief Nyashanu in Dorowa, Buhera District, died after being trapped in a veld fire that reportedly changed direction while he was clearing grass around his cattle pen, police have confirmed. The victim, identified as Fibion Munjoma, had been burning dry grass and creating fireguards near his homestead when strong winds caused the flames to spread rapidly, engulfing him before he could escape.

Manicaland acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the fatal incident, saying investigations indicate the fire suddenly shifted direction because of changing wind conditions. According to police, Munjoma attempted to flee from the advancing flames but tripped and fell before he could reach safety. The fast-moving fire overtook him, resulting in fatal burns. His body was later discovered by fellow villager Bodmas Mhurira (61), who alerted authorities. Officers from ZRP Dorowa attended the scene and opened an investigation into the incident.

The tragedy comes as Zimbabwe enters the peak veld fire season, with authorities repeatedly urging farmers, landowners and rural communities to avoid uncontrolled burning. The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has warned that the 2026 fire season presents an elevated risk due to heavy grass biomass left by above-average rainfall, combined with dry vegetation, strong winds and widespread use of fire for land clearing. The agency officially launched the 2026 National Fire Week in Goromonzi under the theme "Prevent, Protect, Preserve: Combating Veld Fires Together." 

"Veld fires are not just seasonal incidents; they are a national threat affecting lives, livelihoods, biodiversity, agriculture, infrastructure and the environment," EMA said during the launch of the campaign.

EMA says many veld fires in Zimbabwe are caused by human activities, including burning vegetation for land preparation, illegal hunting, careless disposal of cigarette stubs and unattended fires. The agency is urging communities to construct standard fireguards, avoid open burning during the fire restriction period and report any outbreaks immediately.

Environmental experts say elderly people and those working alone are particularly vulnerable when fires become unpredictable. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) says integrated fire management, community awareness and early prevention measures are essential to reducing deaths, protecting biodiversity and safeguarding rural livelihoods as climate variability increases the likelihood of destructive fires. Authorities are reminding Zimbabweans that the annual veld fire restriction period requires strict adherence to fire safety regulations, with uncontrolled burning capable of attracting legal penalties under the country's environmental laws.

Police have urged residents across Buhera and other rural districts to exercise extreme caution when clearing land during the dry season and never ignite fires when windy conditions prevail.

Buhera veld fire