Mine event in Chiredzi, Masvingo province area, Zimbabwe on Mon 8th June 2020

Villagers surrounding the National Mine Clearance Squadron's current location at Mafunjwa Base in Chiredzi South have regularly lost livestock, limbs and life due to the lethal remnants of the war planted by Rhodesian security forces during the liberation struggle. On June 8 2020, the National Mine Clearance Squadron resumed operations at Mafunjwa Base after a five-month break following the onset of the rainy season. The resumption of operations was met with a lot of excitement from the villagers. "I have been waiting to hear this sound. With this global Covid-19 pandemic devastating the world, I thought this year we were never going to hear the sound of landmines being detonated. These blasts give us hope as people living in proximity to the minefield. It gives us assurance that progress is being made to get rid of the menace once and for all," says Mr Richard Nyoni, a local community leader. The Officer Commanding National Mine Clearance Squadron, Major Trust Chinhongo explained the two types of blasts that are characteristic of mine infested areas. "Demining is equally a war, lives can be lost. There are two types of blasts and each of them carries its own feelings to a deminer. A blast as a result of an unplanned detonation which demoralises the deminers and this daily blast which comes as result of cleared mines being destroyed deliberately.