Blessing Nduku
Police are investigating two separate fire incidents that resulted in the death of a 7-month-old baby which occurred on 11 May 2024 around 1700 hours in Mvuma and a 21-year-old man from Mberengwa at around 0300 hours on 12 May 2024.
Midlands Provincial Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the two incidents, saying that circumstances are that Deliwe Mapfumo (32) of Village 2 Chiwodza went to fetch water from a nearby well leaving her two boys sleeping in a hut and found the hut on fire.
Deliwe Mapfumo a female (32) went to fetch water from a nearby well, leaving behind her two boy children Delight Chiunde(7 months) and Talent Fero (3), sleeping in a hut.
“On her return, she found Erica Machisa (56), her female neighbor, and her son trying to extinguish the fire that had engulfed her hut.”Mahoko said that the fire was so extensive that they only managed to rescue the 3-year-old boy whilst the infant died in the blaze.
The fire was so extensive that they only managed to rescue the 3-year-old toddler who had sustained severe burns. The infant died in the inferno.
In a different case, circumstances are that Isaac Matsheza (71) of Village Maribha, Chief Mahlebadza Mberengwa was asleep in his bedroom with his son Tapiwa Matsheza (21) who had been drinking beer at Gaha Business Center. Mahoko said that unknown people set Isaac Matsheza’s thatched bedroom on fire and he woke up and tried to alert his son but to no avail escaped the bedroom.
Later during the night, unknown people set their thatched bedroom hut on fire. Isaac Matsheza awoke and tried to alert his son but he failed to wake up and escaped from the burning bedroom hut with serious burns all over his body.
Tapiwa MATSHEZA was trapped inside and was burnt beyond recognition. Isaac Matsheza is currently receiving treatment at Gwanda Provincial Hospital where he was admitted while Tapiwa’s body was taken to Musume Mission Hospital.
The two cases were reported to the police.
