Ginimbi’s Rolls Royce burns at VID

Firefighters had to scrounge for water in some parts of Harare in order to put out a fire that broke out at the Vehicle Inspectorate Department, VID in Eastlea on Saturday afternoon. Vehicles, mainly accident-damaged ones, went up in smoke at a parking bay following a fire reportedly started by scavengers foraging for recyclable material for resale.

The fire burnt a part of the wreckages which included the Rolls Royce that was owned by late businessman and socialite Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure, who perished on November 8, 2020, with three of his friends after an accident.

Firefighters had to rush to some parts of Harare CBD to fetch water to put out the fire. Several vehicles were burnt beyond recognition. Workers at the VID and other volunteers had to move some of the impounded vehicles outside the holding bay for fear they could also catch fire.

By a miracle, some of the functional vehicles including buses and lorries, that were also at the bay and caught fire were not affected. ZRP officers later arrived to record statements and assess the situation after the fire had already been contained.

VID officials could not immediately comment but onlookers said the fire started outside the VID premises and was pushed over the precast wall into the yard by the wind. Mr. Michael Tayananiswa said the fire was carried into the VID premises by the wind.

“Once the fire got inside the VID premises, it started by torching timber which was in a trailer. The trailer itself then caught fire and it spread, burning the other seven vehicle wreckages in the yard before the fire brigade came.”

Mr. David Brando an eye witness gave his account.

“I do not know the cause of the fire but it started behind the precast wall and we were shocked when we saw a trailer full of timber burning. The fire then spread to nearby cars before the fire brigade came to contain the fire”.

Fires have become all too frequent this year with many other sites like the Glen View Area 8 Home Industry Complex going up in flames for the second time this year. Recently,  a family of 4 from Zaka died in an inferno in their hut. Pomona dumpsite was also burning just a week ago.