Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sent condolence messages to families of ten farm workers who died in Esigodini on Monday while trying to put out a veld fire. In a statement seen by Pindula News, the president urged members of the public to avoid veld fires. He said:
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 minimise 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.
On behalf of the Party, ZANU-PF, Government, my family and on my own behalf, I wish to express my deep, heartfelt condolences to families which have lost their beloved ones in this veld fire incident. In the same vein, I wish all those nursing burns from the fire speedy recovery.
I have since instructed Government to move in with assistance to the affected families, including meeting funeral expenses.
May the souls of the dear departed rest in eternal peace.
E.D. Mnangagwa
PRESIDENT
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