By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
BINGA—The quiet of a Wednesday morning was shattered by a deadly explosion, claiming the lives of three residents in Binga, a community still reeling from the scars of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle in the 1970s.
The explosion, caused by a landmine hidden on a road that connects Mabwe and Sebungwe Narrows, has left the tight-knit community in shock and mourning.
The vehicle, belonging to the Binga Rural District Council and carrying six passengers, was returning from Sebungwe Narrows when it inadvertently ran over the decades-old explosive. In the blink of an eye, the blast overturned the vehicle, leaving a scene of devastation.
A 14-year-old girl died instantly, and two men later succumbed to their injuries while being rushed to Binga Rural District Hospital.
The heart-wrenching images from the scene, shared widely on social media, reveal the true human cost of this silent threat—once again highlighting the peril that continues to lurk beneath the surface in post-conflict areas like Binga.
A Community in Mourning
For many in Binga, the incident was a painful reminder of the landmines that still claim lives decades after the war ended. Despite ongoing demining efforts across the country, local residents feel that progress is painfully slow.
“We’ve been promised that the landmines would be cleared, but time and again, these promises fall short,” said John Mugwerewa, a local farmer and father of two. “My children should be able to play without fear of stepping on something that could kill them. We are still living with the past every single day.”
Local authorities, including the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), have responded by sending a demining team to assess the area and ensure no further danger remains. But for many, it feels like too little, too late.
“We are grateful for their quick response, but this is not enough,” said Chief Siamupa, a prominent community leader. “We need more resources, more commitment to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Our people deserve safety—not just promises.”
A Bitter Reality for Binga’s Future
The vehicle involved in the tragedy was returning from a conservancy managed by Joshua Muzamba, the chief executive officer of Binga RDC. This has raised uncomfortable questions about how land use and development in the area are balanced with the ongoing risks posed by landmines.
“We are trying to build our local economy, but we can’t do that when the land is still haunted by explosives,” said Simon Muzamba, a community elder, during a gathering in the wake of the explosion. “We need urgent action to clear these remnants of war.”
As the community processes its grief, the sense of urgency is palpable. The Binga Residents’ Association, along with other local organizations, is now calling for renewed efforts from the government and international partners to speed up the demining process.
“We cannot afford to lose more lives,” said Mayasi Mudenda, the association’s administrator. “These landmines were placed here by those who are long gone. The government and international organizations must now step in to finish the job.”
A Fight for the Future
As Binga mourns the loss of its young daughter and two fathers, the tragedy has sparked a renewed sense of determination among the community. It is no longer just about the safety of roads or development projects—it’s about preserving lives. The people of Binga, now more than ever, are demanding that their government and the world at large take decisive action to clear the landmines that still claim innocent lives.
“We are fighting for our future, for the safety of our children, and for the memory of those who have already been lost,” said Chikonde, a local teacher and parent. “Our community cannot continue to live in fear.”
The landmine explosion in Binga is a tragic reminder of how the past continues to shape the lives of those who were too young to witness it. But it is also a rallying cry for action—an urgent plea to ensure that future generations can walk the same paths, play in the same fields, and dream of a future unmarked by the remnants of war.
The community’s call is clear: Enough is enough. It’s time to clear the landmines and secure a safer, brighter future for Binga’s children.
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