Martin Mawaya
LOWER GWERU- A 20-year-old butchery attendant tragically lost his life in a devastating fire at the Lower Gweru Mission business center, according to Midlands Province police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko.
The incident occurred on October 15, 2024 at around 8:30 PM, when the butchery owned by Nkosana Sibanda was engulfed in flames.
The victim, Leeroy Mpofu, was an employee at the butchery and became trapped inside as the fire raged.
“We can confirm having received a report of sudden death where a 20-year-old man was burnt to death in an inferno,” Insp Mahoko said.
“The now-deceased Mpofu of Guduza Village, under Chief Sogwala, Lower Gweru, was employed by Nkosana Sibanda as a butchery attendant at the Lower Gweru Mission Business Centre.”
According to the police report, a neighboring shop worker, Darlington Mufundisi, heard a loud noise and screaming coming from the butchery and went outside to investigate.
Upon seeing the fire, Mufundisi alerted others at the business center, but their efforts to extinguish the blaze were unsuccessful.
The police were immediately notified, and when they arrived at the scene, they found Mpofu’s lifeless body inside the burning butchery.
Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the fire.
