Chimanimani Burning

Last weekend (the 27th-28th September 2008) I went on a trip with my parents to the Chimanimani mountains in Zimbabwe. We drove from Bulawayo via Masvingo and arrived in the afternoon of the 26th of September at our accommodation in Chimanimani village. That evening, as we were preparing for bed, we saw that a small fire had started within approximately 100 meters from where we were staying. We went down informed the security guard to keep an eye on it, and water the area between the house and the fire.
We were informed that the area had had a major problem with fires this year, but luckily this one didn’t get out of control.

The following morning we set off through the village and past the timber plantations to have a look at what remained of Mawenji Lodge – the former popular resort situated on Charleswood Estate (Roy Bennett's farm). The 3 cottages were structurally intact, but had been stripped of all valuables. The main house had been burnt down and was a pile of rubble. We also visited the Outward Bound center, which, by contrast was flourishing – and we were told that it was fully booked through to December. After establishing contact with one of the guides and getting his agreement to guide us up the mountain the following day, we decided to head back to the village.
When we turned around, we saw a massive pall of gray smoke that blackened the horizon. We moved towards it and as we approached it became clear that the gum plantations that we had passed through earlier were ablaze. The fire had jumped the road and was clearly out of control – with the flames jumping 5-6 metres in the air. The heat was intense, and the fire was creating a suffocating smoke. We came across the African manager of the estate, who was understandably very distressed – who told us that they had evacuated one compound but were not sure what to do about getting the fire under control. He also did not know where the owner was. We also heard loud screaming at this stage – so my father and I decided to drop the others at home and then come back to see how we could help. On our return we encountered the son of the owner of Zimpala Estate. He informed us that the fires had been started by disaffected workers who had not been paid their full salaries owed to them due to the cash shortages faced by their employers. He indicated that there was a large group of them roaming the estate lighting fires (up to 50 different ones) using petrol. These had now caught a number of gum and pine plantations and were out of control - their homestead was also in danger. The same thing was happening on Charter Estates (a neighbouring plantation). We informed him that we had a satellite phone and would be available to help if required. We then waited at the outskirts of the blaze, helpless to do anything in the face of the approaching flames. The owner's son then returned to tell that his general manager had been searching for the culprits of the arson on his motorbike, and had been caught between two of the fires and then they had lost contact with him.

We decided to go and have a look at the other side of the valley (where our accommodation was) where a number of other fires had also been started. We estimated that this fire was about 2-3 kms from the village, but our attempts to backburn here were futile. We stopped back at home, and were met by the african manager of Zimpala who had arrived on his motorbike in a state of panic. He informed us that they had found the general manager (Mr. Patel) and that he had been badly burnt. They needed the Sat phone to get hold of MARS emergency services in Mutare. We rushed off to their homestead with our first aid kit. On our arrival, the owner of the estate asked if we had morphine - Mr. Patel was in a great deal of pain. Unfortunately we did not, and our Sat phone was not required as they had managed to get hold of MARS who were on their way from Mutare. They decided to set off to with Mr. Patel in the back of their car to minimize the time before he could get medical help. We headed back to our accommodation - fires still blazing around Chimanimani village. The fires carried on into the night, came within a few hundred metres of the houses - the firebreaks doing their job in preventing further destruction.

As we were inspecting the smoldering remains of the fires, we were informed that Mr. Patel had died 20kms out of Chimanimani.

This tragic story highlights a few characteristics of the 'Zimbabwean Situation' under the current regime:

Due to the cash shortages, employees are getting more and more frustrated. But they are taking their frustrations out on their employers - instead of the government that has been responsible for the situation.

It is becoming close to impossible to run any form of business under the current economic situation.

Medical services are minimal - putting the lives of people who work in remote places at serious risk. The fact that there was no doctor in Chimanimani at all was an indication as to how dire the situation has become.

Our beautiful country is being destroyed before our eyes.

It is time for change.