CHIEF Ndanga of Shurugwi has appealed to the government to buy fire tenders for districts in the Midlands province to combat the spread of veld fires. STEPHEN CHADENGA OWN CORRESPONDENT
Speaking at a provincial Environmental Management Agency (EMA) veld fire indaba in Gweru yesterday, Ndanga said the veld fires were a cause for concern in the Midlands province and made a plea for the government to intervene.
“The government should chip in and provide fire tenders for all our districts so that we can fight veld fires. In addition, the government should timeously be instrumental in the construction of fire guards in communities,” Ndanga said.
He also said Boterekwa on the Great Dyke belt in Shurugwi was under threat as illegal gold panners were behind most of the veld fires in the area.
According to EMA, 90 192 hectares in the Midlands province were destroyed by veld fires at the end of 2013.
In 2012, 107 132 hectares of land were destroyed and two people were killed after being burnt by veld fires in the province. Nationally, in 2013, 1 179 274 hectares and four people died as a result of veld fires.
