Veld Fire Victims Fed as Urgent Food Aid Reaches Chiweshe
More than 24 households in Gweshe, Ward 12, received emergency food assistance over the weekend following a devastating veld fire that left families injured, displaced, and without access to basic supplies.
The fire, reportedly started by a mentally challenged woman, swept through parts of Chiweshe and Glendale last week, destroying huts, crop fields, and income-generating projects.
Several victims sustained burns, with some currently admitted at Howard Mission Hospital.
In a swift humanitarian response, Zanu PF Member of Parliament for Mazowe Central, Cde Dr Maxmore Njanji, delivered food aid to the affected families, including mealie meal, beans, matemba, and bread.
“We are so disheartened by this calamitous event which has left our people injured, with some currently nursing wounds from the burns.
“After receiving the sad news, I managed to secure food items as a temporary relief measure whilst we are running around to secure more assistance.
“It is sad that many of these people lost various food items, important documents, farming inputs and forms of livelihoods,” said Dr Njanji.
Dr Njanji confirmed that the Civil Protection Unit has been activated to support the victims and emphasized the need for continued food relief across other affected areas, including Howard, Musarara, and Mudzonga villages.
According to The Herald, the fire also destroyed poultry projects and bee hives, leaving many households exposed to food insecurity.
Mrs Bridget Hungwe from Munongerwa village shared her ordeal, saying her broiler project was completely wiped out.
“We are so touched by this incident as it has affected our source of income. The fire burnt the hut which had 50 broilers and all the stocked feed for the project.
“A bed and blankets which were in the part of the hut where our children were sleeping was also burnt to ashes. We are however grateful for receiving food aid as we were left without any foodstuffs to feed the family,” said Hungwe.
Wellington Meki of Mapfumo village, who sustained burns while trying to save his belongings, also received food assistance.
“We lost various items including building material that we had purchased for our house construction, blankets and food.
“It is unfortunate that in the process of trying to save some of the items, I was also burnt on my face and arm. I am appealing for medical assistance,” said Meki.
Ward 12 Councillor Mr Brighton Muzhira urged authorities to prioritize the victims in upcoming social welfare programs and Pfumvudza farming input distributions.
He stressed that food support remains critical as families work to recover and rebuild their lives.
