Council Workers Blamed For Mutare Garage Fire, Which Burned Over 50 Cars

Massive Fire Destroys Over 50 Cars At Mutare Garage

A devastating fire tore through a prominent Mutare garage on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in the complete destruction of more than fifty vehicles. The blaze erupted at the Riverside Road workshop, locally known as PaMaBenz or PaBhobho, which specialises in Mercedes-Benz repairs. Eyewitnesses present at the scene have directly blamed City of Mutare council employees, alleging that a controlled waste burn they were conducting spiralled out of control, leading to the catastrophic inferno.

The estimated financial loss is expected to run into millions of US Dollars (tens of millions of Rand), encompassing customer cars, specialised tools, and mechanical equipment.

Eyewitness Accounts Describe Council Operation Gone Wrong

According to numerous testimonies from mechanics and bystanders, the origin of the fire is traced to a municipal cleaning operation adjacent to the garage premises. City council workers were reportedly burning a heap of dry grass and other waste collected from the area.

Business Owners and Customers Face Financial Ruin

The garage is a well-established business, housing vehicles for numerous clients from across the region. The destruction is not only a severe blow to the garage owners but also to the customers whose vehicles were inside. Many of the cars were under repair or awaiting service, and some were not insured against such an incident while on the garage premises.

City Council Under Pressure to Respond

As news of the fire spread, public anger quickly centred on the Mutare City Council. The local authority has yet to issue an official public statement addressing the allegations against its employees or detailing the events that led to the disaster. The community and business owners are calling for a transparent investigation and for the council to assume responsibility.

According to the initial report on X by The Mirror Masvingo, the incident has sparked widespread debate about municipal protocols for controlled burns, especially during the dry season. The lack of containment measures and oversight has been heavily criticised by local residents and business leaders alike.