LAVENDER CHANDISAREVA
Landmines and other explosive remnants of war remain a serious threat to the safety, health, lives and livelihoods of people living in the proximity of contaminated areas, years after conflicts.
Speaking during commemorations to mark the International Day for mine awareness and victim assistance, the Minister of Defence, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said Zimbabwe, like many countries across the world, has endured the devastating impact of land mines for far too long.
“The scars left behind by these insane weapons are a stark reminder of the long-lasting consequences of conflicts and wars,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.
According to Zimbabwe Mine Action Centre (ZIMAC), “The landmine challenge in Zimbabwe is traced back to the war of liberation that culminated into the attainment of independence in 1980. At the peak of the liberation struggle from 1976 and 1979, the then Rhodesian forces laid minefields along the Northern and Eastern borders of Zimbabwe with the aim of preventing the infiltration of freedom fighters into the country from Mozambique and Zambia respectively. The initial contamination covered an area of 310.65 square kilometres, translating into a linear distance of approximately 850km with an estimated three million mines laid below and above surface”.
Impact on community
One of the partners in the demining exercise Halo Trust remarked that, these unfenced minefields have killed or injured many people and more than 100,000 cattle have been lost. The organisation said whilst the loss of humans is huge, the loss of cattle has also threatened livelihoods. Halo reiterated that at times children take long detours to school every day to avoid crossing contaminated areas.
According to another partner covering the Sengwe Wildlife Corridor, APOPO, “The landmines cause a serious threat to wildlife such as elephants, lions, and wild dog as well as local communities who desperately need the land for grazing and agriculture.
This was also echoed by Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri who said,” These landmines are a real danger both to human beings and to wildlife. Living in the proximity of contaminated areas is a nightmare. It is like living in a war zone, more so for deminers who pay supreme sacrifice to clear some of these mine fields. Although the land mines gorge affects all of us in different ways, most vulnerable are women, children, the disabled and the elderly who live in fear day by day.”
Rising above the challenges
Whilst Zimbabwe is still grappling with the challenge of landmines, 45 years after the liberation war, the country has made significant progress in demining and creating safer places for people living in the affected communities.
“Our dedicated mine action teams are working tirelessly to clear contaminated areas, educate communities on the risks caused by landmines, and assisting victims of mine related acts by providing them with all the necessary services to make them live normally.
“As of 31 March 2024, and with assistance from our cooperating partners, we had cleared 294,091 square kilometres, which translates to 94.9% of the initial affected area of 310.66 square kilometres. Remaining 15.75 square kilometres, translating to 5.1% were earmarked for completion by end of 2025, a target that is no longer achievable, mainly due to a financial funding gap,” explained Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.
Support to Victims
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said while considerable progress has been registered in mine clearance, the other pillars of mine action, like mine risk, education, victim assistance, advocacy and stockpile destruction deserve equal treatment.
“Among other interventions, particular attention needs to be given to victims of landmines. Victims of landmines require not only physical rehabilitation but also counselling services to help them overcome the associated trauma and also to make them become economically effective and active again. Unfortunately, not much has been achieved in these areas as a result.
“I urge all of us to redouble our efforts and make the lives of victims of land mines much more comfortable,” remarked Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri
She also commended the work being done by the Ministry of Public Services, labour and Social Welfare which leads the counselling and rehabilitation of victims of landmine partners and efforts of other stakeholders, government departments and agencies, civil society organizations, international partners and individuals who are contributing towards making Zimbabwe mine free.
However, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri highlighted gaps in the War victims Compensation Act restricting fair compensation of all victims.
“So currently, the Ministry of Public Service, the war victims and the Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation struggle, are working together to amend the war victim’s compensation so that they will also compensate those that are affected or injured by these landmines.
“So, efforts are at an advanced stage to make sure that principles of the amendments are put in place, and they will be put through cabinet so that the necessary amendments will take place and they will benefit accordingly,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.
Mr David Jairos, from Nyamapanda Boarder, one of the victims who shared his story pleaded for assistance from the government
“I am no longer able bodied as before. Looking at my homestead I am unable to build it like what others are doing. We are looking for help from Donors or Government to assist us since we are no longer able to do it.
“The Halo Trust came and assisted us with hampers, wheelchairs, clashes and Movers. They also cleaned our area. Government should empower us so that we stop asking for help every time,” he said.
Innovation in mine clearance
The Halo Trust Zimbabwe Community Liaison Manager Akim Kaitano said they are developing new innovations for safety and easy working conditions in mines.
“Off late the deminers were excavating the mines though with all the protective clothing they will be wearing but now we have micro excavators, humans no longer dig for the chimbambaira (landmines), we are using machinery.
“In terms of time it is faster than a human being for instance a person can take 30 minutes digging the ground whilst the machine can dig 60 mines per minute,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s demining efforts have been successful due to the government’s mine action strategy and support from local and international partners including the Halo Trust, Apopo, GICHD, Oak Foundation, World Without Mines, Irish Aid, Norwegian People’s Aid, Mines Advisory Group and the governments of Japan, United Kingdom, Australia and Switzerland.
