Cold claims Beitbridge man

ZIMBABWE’S extremely cold weather has claimed the life of a Beitbridge man
whose partner was hospitalised for suspected carbon monoxide inhalation when
they warmed up their improvised bedroom with a brazier (mbaura/imbaula) on
Monday night.
The Officer Commanding Beitbridge Police District, Chief Superintendent Tichaona
Nyongo, confirmed the tragedy without giving further details.
I heard of the incident but havent received finer details since those who attended
scene were still out by then, he said in his response to questions.
But neighbours said the man, a known tout plying his trade at the Masvingo hiking
spot near the White Lodge roundabout was naked and lifeless when police retrieved
his body out of a tuck shop near a local surgery.
The lifeless body of the man believed to be a tout called Masvingo was stuck to the
unconscious woman who was rushed to hospital from our area. Many people came
to witness the incident which was saddening, said a neighbour.
We heard groans and we thought all was well but when they did not come out we
started getting worried and some opened the door to discover the tragedy, the
neighbour said.
Braziers are dangerous because they consume all the oxygen in the process
emitting a quiet poisonous gas, carbon monoxide, which is lethal.
The woman was taken to Beitbridge District Hospital, where her condition was said
to be serious.
Hundreds of Beitbridge residents have stayed indoors as a cold weather, unknown in
Beitbridge for many years, swept across the district experiencing not so familiar
weather patterns, distinct from its known incessant heat.
Last week, the border town experienced temperatures as low as six degrees Celsius
and most places that are usually crowded and a hive of activity were deserted.