FIRE RAVAGES WOODVILLE GRAZING LAND
A fire incident in Woodville, Bulawayo has resulted in the destruction of about 60 hectares of land, 20 hectares of grazing land on one plot and 40 hectares on a neighbouring plot.
According to Bulawayo Provincial Police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube the fire, which started on the neighbouring plot was started by a 21-year-old Sipho Lunga and quickly spread to the plot of a 45-year-old male complainant, whose employee first reported the incident.
“On the 15th of August 2024 at around 1200 hours, the complainant a male adult aged 45 years of Woodville received a call from his employee informing him that there was a fire which they were failing to contain and that the fire started at the neighbouring plot by Sipho Lunga a male adult aged 21 years,” Ncube said.
Upon arriving at his plot, the complainant discovered that about 20 hectares of grazing land had been burnt. Lunga later confirmed that he had started the fire while burning some bushes, and the fire subsequently spread to the complainant’s plot, leading to his arrest.
Veld fires have been a persistent issue in Zimbabwe, particularly in the Bulawayo and Matabeleland regions, where dry conditions and strong winds create an ideal environment for the rapid spread of uncontrolled fires.
“Police warns members of the public from negligently or carelessly starting uncontrolled veld fires as there can be a serious threat causing damage to property, ecosystem and endangering lives,” the spokesperson cautioned in light of the incident.
According to Ncube, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater vigilance and responsible behaviour when it comes to fire management.
The Woodville fire incident comes on the heels of a series of veld fires that have ravaged parts of the Matabeleland region in recent months, causing significant damage to property, livestock, and wildlife habitats.
Experts attribute the increase in veld fires to a combination of factors, including the ongoing effects of climate change, which have led to longer and more intense dry seasons, as well as the continued practice of slash-and-burn agriculture in some areas.
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