By Munacho Gwamanda- By Munacho Gwamanda – The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has confirmed a devastating landmine explosion in Binga that claimed three lives and left three others injured.

The explosion occurred when a Binga Rural District Council (RDC) vehicle struck an anti-tank mine near Sebungwe Mouth on Wednesday.

The mine, believed to be a remnant of Zimbabwe’s liberation war, was likely exposed to recent rains.

The victims were employees of the Binga RDC: Micka Munsaka (50), Obert Brown Munkuli, and Nonsern Munsaka.

The trio had been returning to Binga Centre after assisting the RDC’s Chief Executive Officer, Joshua Muzamba, with menial tasks at his Sebungwe Mouth home.

Lieutenant Colonel Tichafa Mungofa, ZNA’s deputy director of public relations, confirmed that the mine was an unmarked remnant from the liberation struggle.

“The explosion occurred on January 8, 2025, at 5pm when the vehicle maneuvered off the pothole-riddled road. Investigations revealed the mine had been exposed due to weather conditions,” Mungofa said.

The ill-fated Toyota Land Cruiser was navigating an alternative route due to muddy main roads when it triggered the explosion.

The blast hurled the vehicle upward before it landed on its side.

Three passengers in the vehicle’s loading box sustained severe injuries.

One woman died instantly, while two others succumbed to their injuries en route to or upon arrival at the hospital.

Landmines in Zimbabwe are a haunting legacy of the liberation war (1964–1979).

Extensive minefields were laid along borders with Mozambique and Zambia by the Rhodesian military to prevent guerilla infiltration.

While demining efforts have cleared some areas, vast tracts remain hazardous, particularly in remote regions like Binga.

Humanitarian organizations, including the HALO Trust and the Zimbabwe Mine Action Centre (ZIMAC), have made significant progress in clearing mines.

However, sporadic incidents like this underscore the continued danger these remnants pose to rural communities.

Local leaders and civil society organizations have called for increased mine awareness campaigns and enhanced funding for demining operations.

Lieutenant Colonel Mungofa urged communities to report suspicious objects and avoid unmarked areas, especially during rainy seasons when mines may become exposed.