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Conrad Mupesa in Mhangura
A 17-member family from Mhangura, whose homestead was destroyed by a veld fire last week, is appealing for assistance.

The Munengeni family homestead was destroyed by fire on Thursday last week, leading to loss of IDs for eight family members, 12 bags of Ammonium Nitrate fertiliser and half a tonne of maize, among other items.

Speaking to The Herald recently, Ms Violet Tererai (50), a surviving spouse of the late Museneki Munengeni, said the fire destroyed three thatched huts at the homestead.

“We are grateful that no human life was lost in the inferno, although we lost a lot of valuables, including identification documents,” she said.

“Of the eight birth certificates destroyed in the inferno, five belonged to my children, whilst two identity cards belonged to me and my daughter.”

The Munengeni family relies heavily on farming, hence the destruction caused by the fire was a major setback to their 2018/ 2019 farming season preparations.

“The fire also destroyed more than half a tonne of Ammonium Nitrate fertiliser which we hoped to use during this coming farming season,” said Ms Tererai.

“I was also hoping to be contracted under Command Agriculture, but the unavailability of IDs makes it difficult.”

Well-wisher and Mhangura constituency National Assembly member Cde Precious Chinhamo Masango came to the rescue of the family by providing clothes, blankets and groceries when she visited the family.

Mashonaland West Environmental Management Agency provincial environmental education and publicity officer Mr Munyaradzi Nhariswa warned people against starting veld fires and added that his organisation would continue to engage traditional leaders in all activities targeted at reducing veld fires in the province.

He urged villagers to put fire guards at their homesteads as a way of reducing loss of life and property during the fire season.

Mashonaland West Province has the largest area affected by veld fires for the past four seasons, leading to loss of life and property.