As the nation braces itself for summer, over 15 homesteads were gutted down by wildfires in the past 24 hours, resulting in a monetary loss of more than E250 000.
This is according to statistics shared by the Eswatini National Fire and Emergency Rescue Services (ENFERS) yesterday.
According to the department, firefighters were deployed across the country attending to wildfires caused by unknown people.
On Friday, two thatched houses were burnt at Sitsatsaweni Umphakatsi, which escalated to nearby homesteads before being put out.
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The ongoing heatwave and strong August winds have fuelled the rapid spread of wildfires across several parts of the country.
Among the incidents, a man and a cow were burnt during the wildfires.
At around midday, multiple structures were destroyed, including:
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One homestead at Gelekeceni
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Four houses at Lushikishini
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A house near Mankayane Government Hospital
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Eight thatched homesteads across the Shiselweni region
Decline in Grass Fires Earlier This Year
Earlier this month, the department reported a decline in grass fire incidents between June and July compared to previous years.
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June 2025: 159 veld fires (down from 188 in 2024)
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July 2025: 303 grass fire cases (down from 508 in 2024)
This was attributed to community vigilance and collaboration.
ENFERS Calls for Responsibility
ENFERS PRO Mandla Dlamini said:
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Eight rondavels in Nshamanti (Gege Inkhundla) were destroyed.
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One house was gutted in Nhlangano (Dwalile).
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Four houses were burnt at Lushikishini Umphakatsi (three thatched, one corrugated iron-roofed).
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At Mankayane Government Hospital, a nurse’s house caught fire after a spark allegedly entered through a window.
He emphasised that all incidents were linked to recklessness by the public, not natural causes.
“It is difficult to put out fires started by people because they spread quickly, especially with strong winds,” he said.
No fatalities were reported, but more than 15 families lost property.
Warning to the Public
Dlamini urged citizens to:
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Stop starting fires without permits from the Ministry of Agriculture.
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Take weather warnings seriously during this critical dry season.
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Act responsibly to protect lives, property, and the environment.
MP Speaks Out
Gege MP Magesi Dlamini confirmed that families in Nshamanti also lost livestock, including broilers, and stored maize in cribs.
He said he would assess damages with community leaders to determine possible assistance.
📊 Veld Fire Statistics
June Fires
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2025: 159
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2024: 188
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2023: 233
July Fires
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2025: 303
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2024: 508
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2023:
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