Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve ,Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) is intensifying demining efforts in the Binga district, with works currently underway in the Lusulu area.
This was revealed by Zimbabwe National Army Chief of Staff Quarter Master Staff, Major General Simo Maseko, during the handover of newly constructed Veterinary offices in Binga on Tuesday.
Early this year, three people died and three others were injured when a Binga Rural District Council vehicle struck a landmine in the Sebungwe area along the Zambezi River.
The vehicle had departed from Binga Centre with three council employees on board, heading to work in Sebungwe.
On their return journey, the driver opted for an alternative route, as the main road was impassable due to muddy conditions.
It was along this detour that the vehicle hit a landmine, resulting in the fatal incident.
In his address on Tuesday, Maj Gen Maseko provided an update on the ZDF’s demining operations in Lusulu, where army engineers are clearing anti-personnel mines planted during the liberation struggle.
“As I speak, there are several other projects that are being handed over to communities throughout the country by the ZDF. It must be noted that other than construction works, the ZDF is engaged in such activities like demining in several areas of the country. These include Lusulu here in Binga, where army deminers are clearing the area off anti-personnel mines planted by the Smith regime during the war of liberation,” he said.
He emphasised the dangers posed by the remaining landmines, which have continued to kill and maim both humans and livestock while also threatening wildlife.
“In a bid to stem the tide of the liberation war, these anti-personnel mines have continued to kill and maim indiscriminately, both humans and livestock. They are equally a menace to the wildlife that abounds in the area. We will, as a national assignment, continue with our mine clearance to avail safe land for the community of Binga, allowing development to take place,” he said.
In addition to infrastructure development and demining, Maj Gen Maseko highlighted the ZDF’s medical outreach programmes, which provide free healthcare to underserved communities.
“In the same vein, the ZDF also holds medical outreach programmes to communities, where medical assistance is rendered free of charge. As we are here, there is a medical outreach programme underway in Matabeleland South, where the ZDF is conducting eye cataract, dental surgery, and common ailment alleviation. This is your ZDF at work,” he said.
