Villagers Left in Ashes: Chiweshe Fire Sparks Push for Safety Reforms
More than 100 villagers were left homeless and vast stretches of farmland reduced to ash after a fast-moving veld fire swept through Chiweshe and Nyombwe Estate in Mazowe District last week.
The fire, which broke out on September 2 and 3, gutted 26 huts, displaced 24 families, and scorched over 1 000 hectares of land, exposing serious gaps in rural fire preparedness and emergency response.
At Nyombwe Estate in the Iron Duke area, the inferno destroyed 2 000 hay bales, burned 1 000 square metres of standing wheat, and consumed 50 treated fence poles.
Two villagers sustained injuries during the blaze—one has since been discharged, while the other remains admitted at Howard Hospital.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) provincial environmental education and publicity officer, Mr Maxwell Mupotsa, said the fire was intensified by strong winds, which made containment efforts nearly impossible.
“The situation was worsened by strong winds that carried the fire over long distances, making suppression extremely difficult,” he said.
Mupotsa also warned that the destruction of grazing land now threatens livestock survival in the affected areas.
According to The Herald, the fire in Chiweshe’s Ward 12 is suspected to have been started by a mentally challenged individual.
The cause of the fire at Nyombwe Estate remains unknown.
Investigators also pointed to the absence of fireguards and the presence of highly flammable invasive species such as Lantana Camara, which fuelled the flames.
Among the hardest-hit communities were Munongerwa, Mapfumo, Marimo, Sangare, Chitaguda, Katakwa, and Mazhombwe villages.
In response, the Civil Protection Unit, working alongside EMA, police, and local leaders, launched a fire awareness campaign to educate villagers on the importance of fireguards and early prevention measures.
To prevent future incidents, EMA issued an Environmental Protection Order to Nyombwe Estate.
The directive mandates the construction of a standard fireguard across its 350-hectare farm and the removal of all Lantana Camara.
Authorities have also appealed for immediate humanitarian assistance, including food, shelter, and clothing for displaced families.
Mr Mupotsa urged communities to take proactive steps to prevent future disasters.
“The destruction witnessed in Chiweshe is a wake-up call for collective action.
“As we enter the dry season, coupled with the windy conditions we have experienced in recent weeks, it is crucial for everyone to stay vigilant and implement pre-suppression measures to prevent veld fires,” he said.
He further emphasized the need for community cooperation during emergencies.
“Many instances of destruction could be avoided if people established standard fireguards and helped one another on the day of a fire, rather than assuming it won’t affect their property.
“Let’s work together to ensure safety for all,” he added.
