An 89-year-old man from Wedza was on Tuesday burnt to death while he was clearing his field in yet another case of death by veld fires in Mashonaland East province.
Alfred Tapfumaneyi of Mushangwe Village under chief Svosve was rescued from the fire by fellow villagers but succumbed to the burns at Harare Hospital.
Police in Mashonaland East Province were not available for comment yesterday.
According to sources, on October 10 Mushangwe was clearing his field in preparation for the looming rainy season using fire.
It is reported that the octogenarian failed to control the fire due to gusty winds and was severely burnt on the back, legs and hands.
Villagers rushed to the scene and rescued Tapfumaneyi before rushing him to Wedza Hospital where he was transferred to Harare Hospital but died the following day.
Tapfumaneyi’s tragic end follows that of a four-year old Mahusekwa toddler who on Monday last week was trapped by fire while playing in a vegetable garden before being burnt to death.
The fire was started by a neighbour who was burning litter before it went out of control and set ablaze the garden. The toddler’s parents and villagers failed to contain the fire and watched helplessly as the child was burnt to death. — Jairos Saunyama
