Manicaland Province has been officially declared free of landmines, marking a major step in Zimbabwe’s ongoing demining efforts. The cleared land is set to be handed over to local communities for development in April this year.
The announcement was made by Defence Minister Honourable Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri during the National Stakeholders Dialogue on Humanitarian Demining and Mine Victim Assistance in Harare. She highlighted the progress made in various provinces and the nearing completion of Zimbabwe’s demining mission.
“In Mashonaland Central, demining in Mt Darwin District has been completed by the HALO Trust, while Rushinga District is close to being mine-free,” she stated. “Manicaland has now completed mine clearance across Chipinge, Mutasa, Mutare Urban, and Mutare Rural districts. Norwegian People’s Aid finalized quality control checks on December 15, 2024, paving the way for an official handover in April 2025.”
Zimbabwe is now on the brink of being fully mine-free, with 96 percent of contaminated land cleared since independence. “Only 12 square kilometers of landmines remain, representing just four percent of what we inherited at independence. This is a remarkable achievement,” Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri added.
The Zimbabwe National Army’s National Mine Clearance Unit has also completed demining the main minefield in Victoria Falls, stretching to Mlibizi, with a small portion at Lusulu still pending. Mashonaland West has been declared mine-free following the clearance of the Kariba Power Station area.
Beyond demining efforts, the government, in collaboration with development partners, is strengthening support for landmine victims. A review of the War Victims Compensation Act of 1980 is currently underway to enhance assistance programs.
With these advancements, Zimbabwe is edging closer to eliminating the legacy of landmines and unlocking new opportunities for economic development in previously hazardous areas.
