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23 September 2022
09:00CAT
Zim GBC News
By Angela Mlotshwa
Tragedy struck as a 74 year old man from Insiza perished through a veld fire.
Insiza is 82km North-East Bulawayo.
Facts obtained by this publication are that on the 12th of September 2022 the yet to be identified old man was trapped in a veld fire while clearing his field.
In Zimbabwe veld fires are a significant threat to national economic recovery plans that are destroying vegetation.
In a similar incident, an 80 year old man from Banket died in a veld fire that stoned through the farming community ,as reported by the Herald
Environmental Managment Authority, (EMA) which is mandated under the Forest Act 19:05 have Statutory instrument 7 of 2007 Environment Managment (Environment Impact) Assessment and Ecosystem Production states that no person shall deliberately cause a fire outside residential / commercial premises during the fire season (31July to 31October).
The law therefore makes it an offence for any person to light up uncontrolled of fires.
The Metrorological Services Department (MSD) of Zimbabwe on the 16th of September 2022 issued a warning about the dangers of starting fires during this season when it is always dry and very windy, the speed of veld fire is fast and more exacerbated.
EMA report of veld fire in the year 2020 stated that a total of 1178 veld fire incidents were recorded between 31 July and 31 October leaving 806 457.84 hectares destroyed.
Veld fires are an environmental challange and annually, an average of a million hectares and grass is lost as a result.
Zim GBC News