US$23m needed to clear remaining 4pc of landmines

Source: The Herald – Breaking news.

 Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri

Trust Freddy, Herald Correspondent

Zimbabwe has made notable strides in clearing landmines planted during the liberation war, with over 96 percent of contaminated land now safe for communities.

However, a funding shortfall of US$23,79 million threatens to delay the country’s goal of becoming mine-free by 2028.

According to latest report, only 12 square kilometers of land remain contaminated with landmines, down from approximately 310 000 square kilometers at independence.

This significant progress is attributed to the tireless efforts of the Zimbabwe National Army’s National Mine Clearance Unit, the HALO Trust, and other organisations.

The Government has been working towards achieving a landmine-free environment by December 2025.

However the deadline has been pushed to 2028 due to financial challenges.

Speaking at the national stakeholders’ dialogue on humanitarian demining and mine victim assistance last Tuesday, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said changes in financial support from international donors have affected the demining project.

“Our projection was to complete demining by December 2025.

“This is no longer realisable due to challenges associated with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and fluctuations in funding from the international donor community.

“As a result, we are working on submitting another three-year Extension Request to the Secretariat of the Treaty,” she said.

“The funding gap as at September 2024 and completion of mine clearance in Zimbabwe by 2028 was US$23,79 million.”

She added that the Government will keep funding the demining project.

The minefields, planted by the Rhodesian Colonial Forces in the 1970s, transcended six provinces, including Matabeleland North, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Manicaland, and Masvingo.

The clearing of these minefields has not only enhanced safety and security in affected communities but has also unlocked economic opportunities, particularly in the agricultural sector.

Despite this progress, the funding gap remains a significant challenge.

The Government of Zimbabwe has committed to funding the National Mine Clearance Unit, which requires a minimum of US$2 million per year.

However, additional funding is required to complete the mine clearance process.

In contrast, the US$23,79 million funding shortfall, although significant, is a once-off payment that would allow the country to complete the mine clearance process.

Once the mine clearance process is complete, funds that would have been allocated to support victims of landmines could be channelled towards other development priorities, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.

Patience Musambidzi,(39) a survivor who spoke to The Herald, lost her right leg to a landmine in 2003. She has since undergone three prosthetic leg replacements and requires another one.

Despite receiving donor support, the financial burden of prosthetic legs is substantial, with basic legs costing around US$3 000 and computerised legs exceeding US$70 000.

Musambidzi revealed that she requires another prosthetic leg, highlighting the ongoing costs associated with landmine injuries.

As the Government moves to amend the War Victims Compensation Act, all landmine victims will soon be eligible for compensation, regardless of when their injury occurred.

The compensation package will include various benefits, such as constant attendance allowances, clothing and children’s allowances and will be done on a case by case basis.

This reflects the commitments made by Government soon after independence to ensure that victims of the war were compensated.

As Musambidzi’s story illustrates, the cost of not addressing this issue far outweighs the cost of funding the clearance of remaining minefields.

Since independence, significant progress has been registered towards making Zimbabwe a mine free zone.

To date, all except 12km² or four percent of the mine infested area has been cleared and handed back to communities for economic exploitation.

The Zimbabwe National Army’s National Mine Clearance Unit has completed the main minefield in Victoria Falls Matabeleland North up to Mlibizi, leaving a small portion at Lusulu. In Mashonaland West, the minefield around the Kariba Power Station was again cleared by the National Mine Clearance Unit thereby making the province landmine free.

Mashonaland Central Province is also nearing mine-free status, thanks to the efforts of the HALO Trust, which completed demining in Mt Darwin District.

Clearance according to Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri, is also nearing completion in Rushinga District, bringing hope that the entire province will soon be mine-free.

In another significant milestone, Maniccaland Province has been declared mine-free, following the completion of mine clearance in Chipinge, Mutasa, Mutare Urban , and Mutare Rural Districts.

The Norwegian People’s Aid played a crucial role in this achievement, with post-clearance quality control completed by December 15, 2024. A handover ceremony for the cleared land is scheduled for April 2025.Masvingo Province has also made progress in this regard.