Zimbabwe is set to receive technical, material and advocacy assistance from the African Union (AU) to strengthen the landmine clearance programme. This was said by AU Head of Defence and Security Division Ms Einas Mohammed in an interview following a visit by the AU and United Nations (UN) Landmine Assessment delegation in the country on 09 to 11 July 2019.

“The AU is very keen to see Zimbabwe succeed in getting rid of the landmine problem. It is one of the countries showing progress and commitment towards the UN 2025 target for a landmine-free world compared to other countries in the African region and the world at large,” she said.

“AU will be supporting Zimbabwe on a number of aspects among them resource mobilisation, equipment, technical support and providing advocacy to bring to the attention of regional and international level such as the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa and in Geneva where the mine ban convection holds its regular meetings on the landmine situation in Zimbabwe.”

Ms Mahommed said it was important for the world to know the extent of the landmine problem in Zimbabwe contaminated minefields in border lying areas. She praised the media for playing a crucial role in the fight against the landmine menace.

“We appreciate the efforts the Zimbabwe media is doing on the issue of landmines in Zimbabwe, it’s a critical issue that needs to be addressed and strongly publicised in order to save lives,” she said.

Ms Mahommed also applauded the Government for showing commitment and sense of ownership on the landmine problem.

“It is very encouraging to see the level of progress being made in clearance as well as the sense of ownership to the problem shown by the Government by formulating a landmine action centre Zimbabwe Mine Action Centre (ZIMAC) a regulatory board to regulate all demining in the country,” she said.

Zimbabwe has since 1982 recovered and destroyed over 209 430 anti-personnel mines planted by Rhodesian forces at the peak of the liberation struggle between 1976 and 1979.

In a brief to the AU and UN Landmine Assessment delegation on the landmine situation in Zimbabwe, director ZIMAC Colonel Mkhululi Bhika Ncube said minefields have been hampering development.

“Limitations in land use and loss of livestock are some of the challenges. Cattle represent the only real wealth, savings and insurance for a peasant farmer. Thus, loss of cattle and other livestock is a very serious concern to them.”

The Hon Min of Defence and War Veterans Affairs descended to Manicaland once again to officially hand over former mined land cleared by Norwegian People's Aid to local authorities for productive use. NPA released a total of 2.9 sq km (15.5km) in the Leacon Hill to Sheba Forest Minefield. Cleared localities include Border Streams, Forbes Border Post and Cecil Kopje. The organisation also managed to clear the Zona Estates area a total of 0.7 sq km (km) in Chipinge District which is part of the Rusitu to Muzite Minefield. All these cleared areas were certified meeting the required standards by the ZIMAC Quality Management Team. Much appreciation goes to NPA and its donors for their commitment to have Manicaland free of landmines by 2025. The ongoing clearance of the Sheba Forest to Leacon Hill Minefield started in 2015 with funding from NMFA and USDoS. So far NPA has managed to find and destroyed 20,885 Anti-personnel mines. The initial contamination of this stretch was 8.2 sq km and as at end of August a total of 4.2 sq km is yet to be cleared.

In Chipinge and Chimanimani Districts is the Rusitu to Muzite Minefield, a stretch of 71Km (8.7 sq km). NPA started working in this minefield in 2017 through funding from DFID. To date only 6.5 sq km remain.

The Zimbabwe mine action community witnessed a remarkable step towards the 2025 goal on Friday 26 July 2019 at Ganganyama Primary School down in Rushinga where the Hon Minister Defence and War Veterans Affairs Cde Oppa Chamu Zvipange Muchinguri-Kashiri officially handed over 5.38 km² to the Mashonaland Central Min of state and Devolution Affairs Cde Monica Mavhunga. Hon Min Muchinguri-Kashiri thanked the HALO Trust for the great work they are doing in Mash Central Province. She implored the beneficiaries to effectively utilize the land which has always been lying idle so as to develop their area as well as improve their lives. She promised that the Government of Zimbabwe would prioritize developing these areas which were lagging behind in terms of development due to presence of mines by engaging willing players to invest in the area. The local community was very happy to have been relieved from the day to day risks they would while going through their daily chores. Ganganyama Primary School with a catchment spanning into Mozambique is situated 100 m from the formerly mined area. This made it a real danger to school children some of whom had to cross the mined areas from Mozambique to get to school. The local chief, Chief Rusambo thanked the government for prioritizing his area and also the HALO Trust for the great work. Much appreciation goes to HALO Trust men and women as well as the donors who made the day a possibility and continue to pursue the 2025 target. Click here to view the Video of the Speech by the  Hon Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs Cde Oppa Chamu Zvipange Muchinguri-Kashiri.

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