by Gideon Madzikatidze
PENHALONGA – Tragedy struck in Marahwa village, under Chief Mutasa in Penhalonga, as a one-year-and-nine-month-old boy lost his life in a devastating inferno from overcharged solar batteries whilst the mother, Rosemary Madzivanzira (24), was fetching tap water at her mother-in-law, Winnie Chitere’s (56), place.
In a statement, Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Manicaland provincial spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said fire sparked by overcharged solar batteries, engulfed the dining room while Madzivanzira was fetching water at Chitere’s place.
Madzivanzira had left the toddler sleeping on a mattress around 16:00 hours. Upon her return, she spotted smoke and heard cries for help. With the help of Honest Nyamupachoto, the boy’s lifeless body was retrieved from the burning room. Police and emergency services were alerted, and the body was taken to Victoria Chitepo Hospital for a post-mortem.
The incident has left the community in shock, highlighting the dangers of overcharged solar batteries. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the tragic event.