A raging veld fire has killed 10 people at a farm in Esigodini, Matabeleland South province four villagers escaped with burns of varying degrees.
Witnesses said the 10 farm workers were part of a group of 15 people who had been called to put out a fire that swept through Lot 43 farm belonging to Abel Moyo before spreading to areas bordering the farm.
The group was trapped by the raging fire driven by strong winds resulting in some of them being burnt beyond recognition.
The burnt bodies were ferried to Esigodini Hospital mortuary.
“We were battling to put out the fire as a group and unfortunately we were surrounded by flames of the raging fire which covered a large area. There was a gust of wind that blew the fire towards our direction,” one of the survivors, Mhlaliswa Ngwenya, told the Chronicle.
“We ran to the mountain but we were surrounded by flames of the raging fire making it difficult to escape,” said Ngwenya.
“I was burnt on the arms and head. I could hear the screams of the men being consumed by the fire. I collapsed when I got to the dust road and that is where a man helped me up and started seeking help.”
He suspects illegal gold miners started the fire.
“What we saw was horrific. I have never seen or experienced something like that. I want to thank God, because I survived. I didn’t think I would survive but I am here narrating my ordeal. I’m from the hospital and my blood pressure is very high,” added Ngwenya.
