The tragic death of a young child in Hwange after stepping on ground heated by underground coal fires should be a wake-up call to authorities, mining companies and environmental watchdogs.
What happened in Makwika suburb is not simply an unfortunate accident — it is a stark reminder of a long-standing environmental and safety problem that has been allowed to persist for far too long.
Hwange has lived with underground coal seam fires for decades. These fires burn silently beneath the surface, often undetectable until the ground collapses or becomes dangerously hot.
Residents who live near old coal dumps and abandoned mining areas walk daily across land that may be unstable or burning underneath.
For communities already grappling with poor sanitation, water shortages and economic hardship, the risk has effectively become part of everyday life.
This situation raises serious questions about accountability. The areas where these fires occur are largely linked to historic mining activities.
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It is therefore difficult to separate the problem from the responsibilities of mining companies operating in the region.
Old dumps, unsealed shafts and unfenced hazardous zones expose residents — including children — to life-threatening dangers.
Zimbabwe has witnessed tragedy in Hwange before. On June 6, 1972, the Kamandama disaster at the Kamandama Shaft claimed the lives of 427 miners after a methane gas explosion.
It remains one of the deadliest mining accidents in the country’s history. While the underground fires seen today are not the same type of disaster, they reflect a similar reality: when safety and environmental management are neglected, lives are placed at risk.
Authorities, environmental agencies and community organisations must urgently investigate the extent of the underground fires and enforce strict measures to protect residents.
Dangerous areas should be mapped, fenced and clearly marked. Communities must also be educated about the risks, while sanitation infrastructure in affected suburbs should be urgently repaired to prevent people from being forced into hazardous zones.
The critical question is how many more lives could be affected if the situation continues unchecked.
The tragedy in Makwika should not be remembered as just another isolated incident. It should mark the moment when decisive action is finally taken to ensure that communities living near Hwange’s coalfields are no longer forced to live above invisible fire.