President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sent a condolence message to 10 workers who died at a farm in Esigodini on Monday.
The families died when they battled to put out a veld fire.
In a statement, Mnangagwa said the Environmental and Civil Protection Departments must work together to avoid future veld fire fatalities.
The Zanu Pf first secretary urged citizens to be extra conscious when they battle veld fires to ensure the country doesn’t lose innocent lives.
“The news of the horrific death of ten workers in raging veld fires at a farm in Esigodini in Matabeleland South Province came to me as a shock. While investigations are still underway, it is quite clear that veld fires against high winds have become a real threat to life and property.
“A new national strategy is now needed to minimize this growing menace whose risk increases by the day until we get our first rains for the Summer Season. Both the Ministry in charge of our Environment, and our Civil Protection Department have to urgently get together so a comprehensive response to veld fires is developed across all Provinces.
“In the meantime, I appeal to all Zimbabweans to desist from starting uncontrolled fires, especially now when our velds are tinder dry and thus highly combustible. Where such fires break out accidentally, utmost care must be exercised in fighting them so we do not lose lives in such horrific, heart-wrenching ways,” he said.
The tragic event comes at a time when temperatures are soaring around Zimbabwe with regular fire warnings by EMA and the Meteorological Services Department.
