SCORES of Chiyangwa villagers in Murehwa have been forced to abandon their homes following mysterious fires that have so far razed down 13 homesteads since March, destroying property worth thousands of dollars.
Report by Charles Laiton
So far, there has been no explanation as to the source of the enigmatic fires that started on March 12 this year.
Christine Dzotizei (82) wept uncontrollably when NewsDay visited her village and was calmed down by her son headman Paradzai Chiyangwa.
Chiyangwa, whose village is sandwiched between Mharapata and Chamangoni mountains under Chief Zihute, said: “Our efforts to establish the source and cause of the fires have yielded nothing. So far, at least 13 huts have been burnt down and it is fortunate that no lives have been lost. We reported the matter to the chief and the police are also investigating.”
One of the affected villagers Esther Nyakupeta (77), whose two huts were also razed, said: “I’m so scared of what is happening here. When the fire started I was asleep together with my two grandchildren and I managed to throw them out of the burning hut by dragging the blanket they were sleeping on outside the hut.
“While I was busy attending to the first fire I realised the second hut was also burning, but I could not salvage anything out of it since I was alone.”
The other villagers that have fallen victim to the mysterious fires include Sarudzai Manyika, Augusto Mazuva, Theresa Ruwizhi, Thomas Taundi, Monica Walapa and Douglas Chigwida.
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At one point the headman’s son, Dudzai Chiyangwa, was picked up as a suspected arsonist, but while he was detained at Murehwa police station, two more huts were burnt down in the early hours of the morning.
Murehwa Deputy District Administrator Phyllis Banhwa said she visited the villages and recorded down the names of those in need of assistance.
“The problem we now have is that the moment we leave the village with a certain number of victims in need of help, we are immediately informed that other huts would have been burnt thereby creating a problem in ascertaining those that need help at the moment. The cause of the fires still remains a mystery,” Banhwa said.
Chief Jonathan Mangwende confirmed he had heard about the burnt huts, but had not had the chance to visit the scene.
Former Health minister David Parirenyatwa is said to have visited the affected villagers with the intention of rendering assistance.
