A horrific tragedy unfolded on Wednesday afternoon in the Sebungwe area of Binga Rural District, along the Zambezi River, when a Binga Rural District Council vehicle struck a landmine, resulting in the deaths of three people and serious injuries to three others.
The incident, which occurred around 5pm, serves as a stark reminder of the lingering legacy of the Rhodesian Bush War and the devastating impact of unexploded ordnance on Zimbabwean communities decades after the conflict ended.
The council vehicle, carrying three council employees, had departed from Binga Centre en route to Sebungwe. On their return journey, faced with impassable muddy conditions on the main road, the driver chose an alternative route. It was on this detour that the vehicle encountered the landmine, triggering the explosion.
The immediate aftermath was catastrophic. One passenger died instantly, while two others succumbed to their injuries while en route to a nearby hospital. The three injured passengers received immediate medical attention. Police arrived at the scene to investigate, and a full inquiry is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The landmine is suspected to be a relic from the 1970s, planted during the protracted war of independence in the then Rhodhesia (now Zimbabwe). While a thorough investigation will be necessary to confirm its origin, the incident tragically highlights the continuing threat posed by these lethal remnants of war.
This incident is sadly not an isolated case. Zimbabwe, one of the world’s most heavily mined countries, continues to grapple with the devastating consequences of landmines laid during the Rhodesian Bush War. The borders with Mozambique and Zambia, in particular, remain treacherous, with dense minefields rendering certain stretches virtually impassable. These minefields, laid by both government troops and rebel fighters, have claimed hundreds of lives, maimed countless others, and caused extensive damage to livestock.
The Rhodesian army strategically deployed various types of anti-personnel mines, including the R2m2, RAP Carrot, M972, and VS50 devices, to deter rebel incursions from neighbouring countries. These mines, designed to inflict maximum harm, remain a significant threat nearly 50 years later. The sheer number of mines scattered across the country poses a considerable challenge to demining efforts. Estimates suggest that over $500 million is required for a comprehensive clearance operation, a figure far beyond the capacity of Zimbabwe’s cash-strapped government.
The lack of funding for demining is compounded by strained relations between Harare and several donor countries. The farm occupations that began in 2000, coupled with reports of human rights abuses and allegations of electoral irregularities, have created significant tension, hindering international cooperation on crucial demining initiatives.
The human cost of these landmines is staggering. Over 1,500 people and more than 120,000 cattle have fallen victim to these deadly devices. The impact extends far beyond the immediate loss of life, as minefields disrupt access to essential services such as water, pasture land, schools, and clinics. Communities are forced to navigate dangerous, informal paths through minefields, placing their lives at constant risk.
Brain Mutsago, a communal farmer from the Dande Valley along the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border, eloquently captures the pervasive fear: “It is a dangerous thing to try to cultivate in the area, as one can be blown up at any time.” This sentiment is shared by countless others living in the shadow of these deadly remnants of war.
The HALO Trust, a humanitarian non-governmental organisation, has been working tirelessly to clear landmines in Zimbabwe. Since 2013, they have destroyed over 210,000 landmines in the north-east of the country, employing over 470 local men and women. Their efforts have resulted in the declaration of Mount Darwin as a landmine-free district in November 2021, a significant achievement in the ongoing demining efforts. However, the scale of the problem remains immense. In some areas, the density of mines reaches 5,500 per linear kilometre. The HALO Trust also provides support for amputees and mine risk education for children.
The mines themselves present a unique challenge. The Rhodesian military employed various techniques, including multiple mine lanes and the use of different mine types, such as the locally made ‘Ploughshare’ and the highly sensitive South African R2M2. The passage of time, coupled with weathering and animal disturbance, has further complicated the demining process, making it difficult to predict the location of these deadly devices.
Despite the complexity and density of the minefields, there is limited evidence that they were effective in preventing infiltration. Instead, they have inflicted immense suffering on the civilian population for decades, far outweighing any purported military advantage.
