MUTARE – Police in Manicaland are investigating a tragic house fire that claimed the lives of two women, aged 18 and 29, at a homestead in Gombakomba Village on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
The two victims reportedly had mental health conditions and were inside a room when the fire broke out. Police said the women had been locked inside the room at the time of the incident.
Zimbabwe Republic Police national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the deaths, saying investigations were underway to determine the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the women being locked inside.
The victims’ bodies were taken to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.
Police have not indicated that the fire was deliberately started, and no arrests have been reported so far.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety and care of vulnerable people requiring close supervision, particularly in households with limited access to specialised mental health services.
Police urged families and communities to exercise extreme caution when caring for vulnerable individuals.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths are continuing.
