Chief Gutu speaks at the launch of the launch of the Provincial Fire Week at Mpandawana Growth Point
Trymore Tagwirei
Chief Gutu hascalled for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and the imposition of tougher penalties against environmental offenders particularly those responsible for veld fires, deforestation, and the degradation of wetlands.
He made the remarks during the recent launch of the Masvingo Provincial Fire Week which was organised by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) at Mpandawana Growth Point.
The event was attended by various stakeholders including the paramount chief who affirmed his commitment to improved environmental practices.
“This season, we received more rainfall, which has led to a significant increase in biomass, and as traditional leaders, we are deeply troubled by the negative impact of veld fires on communities. We are doing our part to raise awareness and advocate for stiffer penalties for individuals found guilty of igniting veld fires,” said Chief Gutu, whose real name in Lawrence Chigariro.
EMA has reported that 19 210 hectares of land was destroyed by veld fires in Masvingo in 2024, compared to 37 776.67 hectares in the 2023.
In his remarks, Councillor Charles Mani also stressed the importance of addressing veld fires and highlighted efforts to educate communities on fire prevention.
“As Gutu Rural District Council, we are proactively preparing for the fire season. We are working closely with communities and all relevant stakeholders to ensure they are well-informed and equipped to reduce fire outbreaks.
“We already have trained personnel in the communities and a standby fire tender acquired with government support. We are prepared to mitigate fire incidents that could lead to loss of life,” said Cllr Mani.
At the event, the EMA Masvingo provincial leadership reiterated the agency’s commitment to fostering collaboration with communities to reduce fire outbreaks.
“We have begun engaging communities to identify effective methods to minimise fire outbreaks in accordance with NDS1 which aims to reduce the total area burnt by 10% each season. This year, we are particularly concerned about the high biomass due to the heavy rainfall.
“We have initiated collaboration with farmers and the broader community to focus on measures such as hay baling, establishing fire guards, and providing training in veld fire management. Within Masvingo province, the Gutu and Masvingo districts have been identified as high-risk areas, which is why we have intensified our awareness campaigns in these regions,” said EMA Masvingo Provincial Manager, Milton Muusha.
