James Tichaendepi
ZVISHAVANE – Two primary schoolchildren were among five family members who died in their sleep after inhaling carbon monoxide fumes from a charcoal brazier inside a sealed hut in Gudhuza Village, Zvishavane, on Sunday night.
The victims included a Grade 2 pupil, a Grade 6 pupil, a teenager, and two adults. The family had visited their elderly mother over the weekend and spent the night in a single-room dwelling, where they lit a brazier for warmth due to low temperatures.
According to family members, the victims had gathered around a bonfire on Sunday evening before retiring to bed. They reportedly took the brazier into the hut and shut the door tightly to keep out the cold. They were later discovered unresponsive early Monday morning when they failed to wake up to catch a scheduled 4 a.m. bus.
Midlands Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident and said initial investigations point to carbon monoxide inhalation from the brazier as the cause of death. He said police are continuing with investigations.
Zvishavane District Development Coordinator Darlington Chokera said the bodies were taken to Zvishavane District Hospital for postmortem examinations.
Chief Masunda, under whose jurisdiction the village falls, said the deaths were a major blow to the community. “Three adults and two minors sought warmth in their sleep using a brazier in their bedroom and died in their sleep,” he said.
Health specialists have warned against using charcoal braziers in unventilated spaces, especially overnight. Intensive care expert Dr. Peter Murambi said carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that can quickly accumulate in sealed rooms. He said it binds to red blood cells more strongly than oxygen, depriving vital organs of the oxygen they need to function.
Funeral arrangements are underway.
