An 80-year-old security guard from Plumstead Farm, Banket, was on 19 August killed by a runaway veld fire and his corpse charred beyond recognition.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the now-deceased, Sakatiza Mariza, was on his way home from his workplace when he was burnt.
ZRP spokesperson Mashonaland West Province Inspector Margaret Chitove confirmed the incident to NewZimbabwe.com Monday. She said:
The now deceased was on his way home from his workplace at St John’s Farm in Banket. As he approached Plumstead Farm, a veld fire quickly spread towards him and he was burnt beyond recognition while trying to run away.
Later that day, Isiah Mutero of Plot 4 Plumstead Farm, who was driving through observed a human-like figure lying lifeless and stopped to investigate.
He noticed it was a male body burnt beyond recognition and alerted villagers at a nearby farm compound.
The victim’s 34-year-old son, Costa Mariza, rushed to the scene and positively identified his father’s remains
A half-burnt cellphone belonging to the deceased was found beside the corpse.
Police from Banket Police Station attended the scene and Mariza’s body was conveyed to Banket District Hospital for post-mortem.
Insp Chitove urged members of the public to desist from starting unnecessary fires and also to put fireguards around homesteads, fields and paddocks to avoid loss of lives and property.
More: NewZimbabwe.com