Zimpapers Logo

Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
THE government has expressed concern over people destroying land through burning the veld while hunting for mice. Veld fires have killed six people while destroying over 800,000 hectares of land countrywide this year.

Responding to a question by Zanu-PF senator Cde Alice Chimbudzi in the Senate last Thursday, the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, said the government was pushing for a mandatory five-year jail sentence for people who start veld fires.

Cde Chimbudzi had quizzed the minister on measures being taken by the government to reduce veld fires.

“The worst culprit in veld fires is Mashonaland West province. We observed that the culprits that cause these veld fires will be looking for mice. They set on fire vast tracts of land in their bid to catch mice,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.

The minister said the government is in the process of reviewing fines levied on those found guilty for causing veld fires. “We want a mandatory sentence of five years because theft of livestock also has a mandatory sentence. So, we’re in the process of coming up with such punitive measures,” said the Minister.

She said farmers also contributed to burning of forests as they believe that burning the veld will speed the greening of pastures.

“Others also do that because in Zimbabwe, there is the perception that we should burn the fields so that our cattle can have green grass. There is a perception that dry grass isn’t edible for cattle. So, in our awareness campaigns, we’re allaying their fears and enlightening villagers that those (cattle) in Matabeleland even browse on leaves from trees,” she said.

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said women and children are the most affected during veld fires.

She said the government has embarked on a fire prevention awareness programme which has incorporated government bodies such the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and traditional leaders.

The minister said the government was worried about people who illegally settle in national parks.

“We observe that people are also staying in national parks illegally, they should move away from those areas. They’re setting the forests on fire and hunting illegally as well as cutting down trees unnecessarily,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.

“We’re working together with the Department of Land Reform and we’re also seeing to it that in such areas, we have chiefs and that if anyone was to cause a fire, the individual who is responsible for starting the fire can be identified.”