’Mandatory jail for veld fire ignitors’

FARMERS and other environment stakeholders have called for a lengthy jail
sentence, without option fines, for anyone found guilty of starting veld fires, in order
to preserve and protect nature.

This is meant to be a deterrent measure to protect the environment.
This came out at a conference on climate change action, which is currently
underway in Mazowe, Mashonaland Central Province.

Currently, the offence attracts a jail term not exceeding 12 months or a fine.
Deputy Director responsible for animal production research in the Ministry of Lands,
Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Grace Tambo, said livestock
farmers are experiencing losses due to rampant veld fires that are experienced in
rangeland.

“What we have noted is that veld fires are impacting negatively on livestock
production through cattle mortality and the destruction of grazing vegetation.
“To stop this, there is a need for policy review to ensure that those caught on the
wrong side of the law get a deterrent jail term,” said Tambo.

Dr Clarice Mudzengi, who is a livestock, wildlife and fisheries lecturer at Great
Zimbabwe University, believes fines for causing veld fires are not deterrent enough.
“I agree on a jail term and disagree on the fine part. I cannot say the exact length of
jail time, but I believe it must be lengthy.

“Remember, we are not talking about just pasture here. Farmers are losing valuable
livestock, which is their source of livelihood,” Mudzengi said.

Livestock and Meat Advisory Council executive administrator, Dr Chrispen Sukume,
believes the Government and other stakeholders need to amplify their fire
awareness programmes.

“My position is that the Government and their partners need to improve and
emphasise awareness so that we give people knowledge on the dangers of wildfires
and their implications for the environment, like greenhouse emissions,” explained Dr
Sukume.

Latest statistics from the Environmental Management Agency show that at least 21
dockets have been opened and 67 tickets issued to fire offenders since the
beginning of the year, with 3 878 orders issued to farmers and landowners for failing
to put fire prevention measures on their properties.