Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe is on course on demining all landmines that were laid by the Rhodesian Forces by 2025.
Whilst addressing people at the 42nd Defence Forces Day at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was ranked among the top three best managed demining countries in the world. He invited well-wishers to come on-board and partner Government in its efforts to fully demine by 2025.
“At independence in 1980, Zimbabwe inherited landmines which were laid by the Rhodesian Forces to inhibit the movement of Freedom Fighters across our common borders with Mozambique and Zambia. Government is dealing with this issue, and it is commendable that our demining programme has been ranked among the top three best managed Mine Action Programmes in the World over the past four (4) years.
“It, therefore, follows that with adequate funding and other resources, the country is on course to finish the demining race by December 2025, in line with the Ottawa Convention on Anti-Personnel Landmines. I, thus, call upon those in a position to support our programme, to come forward and partner us in this noble programme,” said the President.
Landmines laid in Zimbabwe by the Rhodesian army along the Mozambique and Zambia border areas during the Liberation War in the 1970s is responsible for loss of lives of over 1,500 people and more than 100,000 cattle.
Children such as Wellington from Katiza village have to make two-hour detours to school every day to avoid crossing the minefields. His mother, Angela constantly fears for his safety. Demining these areas would ensure that the country does not suffer loss of human lives and livestock. Demining dovetails with the President’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
President Mnangagwa also implored Zimbabweans to maintain the current stable and peaceful environment that we all enjoy in Zimbabwe as we move towards the 2023 Harmonised General Elections.
