Veld Fire Kills Woman, Destroys Homes in Chipinge

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare

A veld fire has killed a woman and destroyed homesteads, property and grazing land in Machacha, Ward 14, prompting Tongogara Rural District Council to warn communities against starting uncontrolled fires as the hot and windy season approaches.

Tongogara RDC chairperson Councillor Wilbert Rambanapasi confirmed the incident too, expressing sorrow over the death of a villager identified as Zvinemo and the destruction caused by the fire. “I have received with deep sorrow the tragic news of a veld fire in Machacha, Ward 14, which has destroyed vast grazing lands, burnt homesteads and sadly claimed the life of Zvinemo,” Rambanapasi said.

According to sources, Zvinemo died while attempting to remove thatching grass from her two-roomed house after realising that the approaching fire had reached her homestead. The fire reportedly started at farms in Ward 7 before spreading to several villages, where it destroyed houses and property at Chambodini, Makopa, Mazorodze and Madhlanadzo.

The destruction has also affected grazing land, threatening resources that local communities depend on to sustain their livestock and livelihoods. Rambanapasi warned residents against starting veld fires, saying those responsible would face legal consequences. “Starting veld fires is a serious offence. Veld fires destroy our livelihoods. We are killing the very soils we need to plough and get good yields from. We are killing our livestock by destroying grazing lands and killing wild animals,” he said.

He urged villagers, traditional leaders and farmers to exercise caution as temperatures rise and windy conditions increase the risk of fires spreading rapidly. Ward 14 councillor Emmanuel Dhaidhai also confirmed that several properties had been destroyed. The incident highlights the potential human and economic cost of uncontrolled veld fires, which can spread across farms and villages, destroying homes, grazing areas and other property.

Residents are being urged to avoid starting fires that could spread beyond their intended areas and to exercise caution when carrying out activities involving open flames. Further details on the extent of the damage, the number of households affected and whether any assistance will be provided to the affected families were not available in the information provided.

Machacha veld fire