Beverly Bizeki
Two people from Chikombedzi recently died from a gas explosion that occurred at the Business Centre on December 9, 2023 after a gas tank caught fire and exploded.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and the loss of life saying investigations were on going but the accused McGilbert Mafanele who is the gas shop owner as yet to be arrested for culpable homicide charges.
“I can confirm the death of two people who died after sustaining burns from a gas explosion at Chikombedzi Bussienss Centre in Chiredzi District and destroyed six shops.
The five were rushed to Chikombedzi Hospital and the deceased died, enroute to Masvingo Provincial Hospital, where they had been referred,” said Dehwa
Investigations are currently underway but the accused is yet to be arrested on culpable homicide,
said Dehwa.
Sources said on December 10, a leaking gas tank allegedly caught fire from a nearby fireplace and exploded and five people sustained serious burns from the explosion.
Melissa Mangalani Chauke (23) died at Ndundu around 1800 hours while Simbarashe Mufandarabwa died around the same time at Nyanda while they were being ferried to Masvingo Provincial Hospital for treatment.
The other three people who were injured from the explosion include juvenile and their names could not be established at the time of reporting.
Mafanele had gone to Malipati when the incident occurred.
