Deputy Minister Describes Esigodini Fire Victims As Heroes Who Died Trying To Protect The Environment
Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Deputy Minister Barbra Rwodzi, Tuesday, Tuesday described ten men who were burnt to death in a veld fire in Esigodini as heroes, CITE reported.
The men were trying to put out a raging fire which broke out at Lot 43 on Monday morning but unfortunately succumbed to the fire.
Five other sustained severe burns are currently receiving treatment.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Tuesday identified the deceased as:
• Kessary Sibanda, a male adult aged 53 of Marula, Figtree,
• Ian Mudimba, a male adult aged 38,
• Simon Mdlongwa, a male adult aged 39,
• Nelisingwane Dlamini, a male adult aged 47 of GMB Esigodini,
• Luzibo Tshuma, a male adult of Chiziya Malundu Village, Binga,
• Oliver Mudimba, a male adult aged 39,
• Bafana Moyo, a male adult aged 53 of Dimbamiwa Village, Nkayi,
• England Moyo, a male adult aged 20 of Nketa 8, Bulawayo,
• Thabani Mpofu, a male adult aged 46 of Gwelutshena Village, Nkayi and
• Menelisi Ngwenya a male adult aged 20 of Mandangema Village, Nkayi.
In her remarks after visiting the families of the deceased, deputy minister Rwodzi described the men as ‘heroes’ who died protecting property and the environment. She spoke to the media:
We have just visited the site where we lost ten lives that were trying to protect the environment when the veld fire started and we are saying it’s not a good sight, we have lost lives and we do not encourage any activity that uses fire in the bush because it just not destroys the bush but lives.
She said 5 400 veld fires had been recorded across the country this year compared to last year where by the end of the veld fire season they had recorded 3 400 veld fires.
The owner of the farm, Abel Moyo also said he was still trying to recover from the incident.
