Key developments since May 2004: In August 2005, Zimbabwe developed a
five-year plan for the clearance of all mined areas, to comply with Article 5 of
the Mine Ban Treaty. The plan is estimated to cost almost US$30 million. In
September 2005, clearance of the Victoria Falls-Mlibizi area, which has been a
demining priority for five years, was reported to be almost complete.
Mine Ban Policy
The Republic of Zimbabwe signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997,
ratified on 18 June 1998, and the treaty entered into force on 1 March 1999. In
January 2001, Zimbabwe enacted the Anti-Personnel Mines (Prohibition) Act 2000,
which incorporates the Mine Ban Treaty into Zimbabwe’s domestic
law.[1]
On 8 July 2005, Zimbabwe submitted its fifth Article 7 report, for calendar
year 2004.[2] It includes voluntary
Form J with information on victim assistance activities.
Zimbabwe participated in the First Review Conference of the Mine Ban Treaty
in Nairobi in November-December 2004, where its representative said that the
treaty had not been a “success story” for Zimbabwe, and his
delegation therefore found it difficult to celebrate the First Review
Conference. He noted the country’s “now familiar story.... Our
request for assistance has not elicited any positive response, with potential
donors choosing to look the other way.... As a nation we simply do not have
the adequate resources that match the enormity of the challenge” of
addressing the country’s mine
contamination.[3]
At the June 2005 intersessional Standing Committee meetings in Geneva,
Zimbabwe made a presentation on its problems, plans, progress and priorities to
meet its Article 5 obligation to clear all mined areas by March 2009.
Zimbabwe has rarely engaged in the extensive discussions that States Parties
have had on matters of interpretation and implementation related to Articles 1,
2 and 3, and, more specifically, the issues of joint military operations with
non-States Parties and the prohibition on “assist,” foreign
stockpiling and transit of antipersonnel mines, antivehicle mines with sensitive
fuzes or antihandling devices, and the acceptable number of mines retained for
training. However, at the intersessional meetings in May 2002, Zimbabwe
informed States Parties that it would not participate in planning and
implementation of activities related to antipersonnel mine use in joint
operations, and that its troops remained bound by “our domestic laws even
if they are operating beyond our
borders.”[4]
Production, Transfer and Stockpiling
Zimbabwe was a past producer and exporter of antipersonnel mines, but not a
significant one.[5] Zimbabwe
destroyed its stockpile of 4,092 antipersonnel mines on 15 November 2000,
retaining 700 mines for training
purposes.[6] According to
Zimbabwe’s Article 7 reports, none of the retained mines have been
consumed (destroyed) during training activities. Zimbabwe has not yet reported
in any detail on the intended purposes and actual uses of its retained
mines―a step agreed to by States Parties in the Nairobi Action Plan that
emerged from the First Review
Conference.[7]
In 2003, a representative of Zimbabwe confirmed to Landmine Monitor that
Claymore-type mines are stockpiled by its armed forces, but without tripwire
fuzes, because Zimbabwe considers these illegal under the Mine Ban
Treaty.[8]
Landmine/UXO Problem
The landmine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) problem in Zimbabwe is the result
of minefields laid by the Rhodesian army along the northern and eastern borders
of Zimbabwe at the height of the war of liberation between 1976 and 1979. The
minefields stretch for 700 kilometers, of which 40 percent were reported to have
been cleared.[9] They were emplaced
on movement corridors likely to be used by armed opposition groups, with the aim
to prevent their movement from “safe” bases in Mozambique and
Zambia.[10] The majority of the
mines laid were antipersonnel blast and directional fragmentation mines. The
minefields were laid in standard patterns, and were marked with warning
signs.[11]
In its Five Year Action Plan 2004-2009, Zimbabwe stated that four provinces
are affected by landmines, while all nine provinces in the country are affected
by UXO.[12] The continued threat of
landmines has restricted developmental progress, such as the construction of
bridges, schools, roads and boreholes. In some areas, distribution of
electricity to outlying communities, as well as agro-forestry, livestock,
tourism and mining industries, have failed to expand or even
commence.[13] According to
Zimbabwe’s Article 7 report of July 2005, mined areas are found in seven
locations, from Msengezi to Nyamapanda South (Rwenya), Stapleford Forest to
Mutare, Burma Valley, Junction Gate to Jersey Tea Estate, Malvernia (Sango) to
Crooks Corner, Victoria Falls to Mlibizi, and Kariba power
station.[14] In addition, an area
described as Lusulu in Gwayi, Matabeleland North, is reported as suspected of
containing mines; the area was partially cleared in 2002, but still remains
dangerous.[15]
In September 2005, however, the Director of the Zimbabwe Mine Action Centre
(ZIMAC) provided slightly different figures for the clearance remaining in
Zimbabwe. He reported that there were six minefields along Zimbabwe’s
borders, “with five yet to be cleared, however surveys conducted indicate
the sizes of the minefields in the form of lengths in kilometers and not in
area.” These are Msengezi to Rwenya River (205 kilometers), Sheba Forest
to Beacon Hill (50 kilometers), Burma Valley (3 kilometers), Rusite to Muzite
Mission (75 kilometers), Sango Border Post to Limpopo River (50
kilometers),[16] with a total length
of 383 kilometers.[17]
Mine Action Program
There is an established mine clearance program in Zimbabwe, although it has
faltered for a number of years due to limited funding. At the First Review
Conference, Zimbabwe referred to the absence of international funding of the
country's mine action
activities.[18] The Director of
ZIMAC stated that Zimbabwe has not received international funding for mine
action since 2000.[19] Reportedly,
funding requests to the European Commission and the US in 2004 were
rejected.[20] Also, no in-kind
assistance has been given, and international agencies have not funded demining,
victim assistance or mine risk education. Nevertheless, the government states
that it is committed to clearing all mines by 2009, and will provide funds in
its annual budgeting process between 2005 and
2009.[21]
Zimbabwe's mine action bodies are the National Mine Action Authority (NAMAZ),
which regulates mine action activities, Zimbabwe Mine Action Centre (ZIMAC),
which implements and coordinates demining activities, and the National Demining
Office (NDO), which carries out demining and mine risk education
(MRE).[22]
The Implementation Plan 2005-2009, referred to by Zimbabwe in a preparatory
document for the First Review Conference, states two objectives in relation to
mine action, “To clear all mined areas by 2009 dependant on adequate
funding from national resources and the donor community according to
humanitarian and socio-economic priorities set by the Government of
Zimbabwe,” and “To initiate and provide comprehensive and effective
MRE programmes in all schools in the four affected provinces throughout the 5
years,” initiating community-based MRE in all villages, business centers
and towns in all mine-affected districts by
2009.[23]
Mine clearance operations are said to be undertaken and implemented in areas
of social and economic development, where land is needed for resettlement and
grazing.[24] The implementation
plan specifies priority clearance of five areas from 2005-2009, at an estimated
cost of $43 million. Resources available from national sources are estimated as
$1,150,000 for this period, leaving a shortfall of $41,850,000. The five year
MRE budget is $660,000, for which national resources are $160,000 leaving a
shortfall of $500,000.[25]
However, ZIMAC stated that the plan is costed at $29.1 million; the plan sets
targets for each year: for 2004, complete clearance of remaining four-kilometer
portion of the 220-kilometer Victoria Falls-Mlibizi minefield; for 2005, clear
the 50-kilometer Gonarezhou National Park; for 2006-2007, clear the
130-kilometer Rwenya-Msengezi minefield; for 2008, clear the 50-kilometer Sheba
Forest-Beacon Hill minefield; for 2009, clear the 78-kilometer minefield in
Manicaland province.[26]
The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) is the only body undertaking demining
activities in Zimbabwe.[27]
Survey and Assessment
No surveys have been conducted since January
2004.[28] Level II survey was
conducted by MineTech in the Malvernia (Songo) to Crooks Corner area in
2001.[29] In 1994, MineTech
conducted an extensive level one survey of all mined areas, with the exception
of Kariba power station, with funds from the European Union. In 1997, an
additional survey was carried out in the Rwenya-Msengezi area, in preparation
for clearance.[30] The Article 7
report for 2004 mentions that the Kariba power station has not yet been
surveyed.[31]
Mine and UXO Clearance
Under Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty, Zimbabwe must destroy all
antipersonnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control as soon as
possible, but not later than 1 March 2009.
Based on its implementation plan for 2004-2009, the government aims to meet
this deadline.[32] The main problem
hampering mine clearance is said to be shortage of equipment. Vehicles,
camping, protective clothing and detection equipment are all reported to need
repair and replacement.[33] The
Director of ZIMAC stated that the government alone cannot sustain the logistical
support needed, nor can it re-equip the demining
unit.[34]
Zimbabwe’s Article 7 reports for 2003 and 2004 indicate that clearance
was conducted in two areas in 2004, Stapleford Forest, where the estimated mine
density has been reduced by 8,000 mines between the two reporting periods, and
the Victoria Falls to Mlibizi area, where mine density is stated as
approximately 1,000 at the end of 2004, compared to 2,099 in
2003.[35] The Article 7 report for
2004 states that approximately 2.8 kilometers remain to be cleared, but does not
report the area already cleared.[36]
A total of 19,000 mines is reported to have been destroyed in the Victoria Falls
clearance, some 17,901 more than the fall in estimated density between 2003 and
2004 for the area.[37]
ZNA has been clearing the Victoria Falls-Mlibizi minefield for the past five
years. At the beginning of September 2005, the ZIMAC director stated that
clearance was almost complete, and that preparations for handover of the cleared
land to the local authorities were underway. He expected that, “By the
time the Landmine Monitor is produced, the operation will have been
concluded.”[38]
The Msengezi-Rwenya area has not been subject to clearance or survey since
2002. The Article 7 reports for 2003 and 2004 indicate an increase in estimated
mine density of 375,372 antipersonnel mines and 2,105 PloughShare mines between
the two reporting periods; no explanation is given for this increase in the
reports.[39]
After completing clearance of the Victoria Falls-Mlibizi minefield, the ZNA
demining corps was due to be deployed to a new minefield. ZIMAC stated that
priority would be given to the Gaza-Kruger-Gonarezhou Transfrontier
Park.[40] However, as of May 2005,
ZNA was said to be embarking on a demining exercise to clear landmines along the
border with Mozambique in Chikombedzi, which is part of the Malvernia (Sango)
Border Post to Crooks Corner minefield. The area was said to be contaminated
with landmines planted during the liberation struggle, to deter freedom fighters
from crossing the border to and from
Mozambique.[41] This area is also
indicated as the highest priority in the Article 7 report of 8 July
2005.[42]
Mine Risk Education
Mine risk education is said to follow the International Mine Action Standards
(IMAS) to ensure effective implementation. ZIMAC is the responsible body for
coordinating MRE activities through use of mass media, local entertainment,
publications, web sites and other events to disseminate mine awareness
messages.[43]
Shortage of resources has also affected MRE programs in Zimbabwe. In 2004,
“very little or no MRE activities were carried out owing to availability
of funding.”[44] In 2005,
there was a critical shortage of campaign material, such as fliers, handouts,
pencils, pens, rulers, charts and T-shirts, as well as fuel for
vehicles.[45]
In 2005, UNDP and the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) under the Ministry of Local
Public Works and National Housing, in partnership with the Ministry of Defence,
pledged $10,000 for MRE, survivor assistance and mine
clearance.[46] According to the
Director of ZIMAC, however, by 1 September 2005 no funds had been
released.[47]
Landmine/UXO Casualties
In 2004, ZIMAC reported no new landmine casualties; however, four men were
injured in two UXO incidents.[48]
This represents a significant decrease from 2003, when ZIMAC reported 26 new
mine/UXO casualties (five killed and 21
injured).[49]
From January to July 2005, ZIMAC reported one man killed and four injured in
separate landmine incidents, and three children killed and two men injured in
three UXO incidents.[50]
The total number of mine casualties in Zimbabwe is unknown as no
comprehensive records are available. Between 1980 and 2003, at least 53 people
were killed and 260 injured in reported landmine
incidents.[51] Zimbabwe reports
that nationwide casualty data is being collected in order to establish a
database, but that lack of funding is preventing completion of the
project.[52]
On 25 April 2005, two Zimbabwean mine clearance experts were killed and one
was seriously injured while removing landmines on Kinmen Island, in
Taiwan.[53] On 18 July 2005, two
Zimbabweans were killed and one was seriously injured during a mine clearance
operation in Afghanistan.[54]
Survivor Assistance
In recent years, Zimbabwe’s healthcare system has reportedly
deteriorated, due to poor funding, lack of qualified staff, severe deterioration
of health facilities, and the lack of essential medical supplies and drugs.
Access is difficult for mine survivors living in remote areas, and some mine
casualties are believed to die before reaching a suitably equipped medical
facility. Emergency medical care and basic prostheses or crutches are provided
free of charge in rehabilitation centers, but continued or follow-up medical
care and replacement of artificial limbs costs the survivors and their families.
Many mine survivors from poor rural communities do not have the resources to pay
for ongoing care and rehabilitation, and have limited access to these
centers.[55]
The Zimbabwe Mine Action Centre includes the Victims Assistance,
Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Resettlement Office; however, there is no
comprehensive landmine survivor assistance program. Assistance for all people
with disabilities is the responsibility of the Social Dimension Fund of the
Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, with some activities implemented through
the National Association of Societies for the Care of the Handicapped (NASCOH).
NASCOH’s activities in 2004 included lobbying and advocacy for the
formulation of comprehensive disability policies, and conducting research on
education, employment, housing and transportation for people with
disabilities.[56] Other
organizations working with persons with disabilities include the Dorothy Duncan
Center for the Blind and Physically Disabled, Ruwa Rehabilitation Center and
Danhiko Rehabilitation
Center.[57]
Zimbabwe submitted the voluntary Form J with its annual Article 7 report for
2004, to report on victim assistance activities.
Zimbabwe has legislation to protect the rights of persons with disabilities,
particularly in relation to rehabilitation and employment; however, a lack of
resources for training and education severely limits
opportunities.[58]
[1] Article 7 Report, Form A, 1
December 2003. The ICBL expressed concern about a provision in the Act relating
to joint military operations with a country not party to the Mine Ban Treaty.
See Landmine Monitor Report 2001, p. 176.
[2] Previous Article 7 reports were
submitted on 11 January 2000, 4 April 2001, 13 February 2003 and 1 December
2003.
[3] Statement by Amb. E. Muzonzini,
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Kenya, Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World (First
Review Conference), Nairobi, 2 December 2004.
[4] See Landmine Monitor Report
2002, p. 532, for more detail on Zimbabwe’s statement.
[5] The government states,
“Zimbabwe never had any capability to produce any type of anti-personnel
or any other mine.” Article 7 Report, Form E, 8 July 2005. Other sources
indicate production of two types of Claymore mines, the Z1 and ZAPS, ended when
Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980, while production of PloughShare mines was
stopped between 1990 and 1993. For more information on past production and
export, see Landmine Monitor Report 1999, pp. 97-99.
[6] Zimbabwe destroyed 3,846 PMD-6
mines and 246 R2M2 mines. It is retaining 500 PMD-6 and 200 R2M2 mines.
Article 7 Report, Form B, 8 July 2005.
[7] In its Article 7 reports,
Zimbabwe states, “The mines will be used during training of our troops and
deminers in order to enable them to identify and learn how to detect, handle,
neutralize and destroy the mines in our minefields.” Article 7 Report,
Form B, 8 July 2005.
[8] Interview with Col. J.
Munongwa, Director, Zimbabwe Mine Action Centre (ZIMAC), Geneva, 4 February
2003.
[9] “Demining gets UNDP
backing,” Chronicle, 2 August 2004.
[10] UN, “Country profile:
Zimbabwe,” www.mineaction.org.
[11] M. Rupiya, Landmines in
Zimbabwe: A Deadly Legacy (Harare: SAPES Books, 1988), p. 20.
[12] Statement by Amb. E.
Muzonzini, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Kenya, First Review Conference,
Nairobi, 2 December 2004. The period 2004-2009 suggests it is a six-year plan.
However, Zimbabwe also refers to the “Implementation Plan
2005-2009.” Zimbabwe, “Communicating Elements of Plans to Implement
Article 5,” August 2004, p. 1.
[13] Interview with Col. J.
Munongwa, ZIMAC, Harare, 27 March 2005; see also Zimbabwe, “Communicating
elements of plans to implement Article 5,” August 2004, p. 1.
[14] Article 7 Report, Form C, 8
July 2005.
[15] Article 7 Report, Form C, 8
July 2005.
[16] Possibly the same mined area
as Malvernia (Sango) to Crooks Corner referred to in Article 7 Report, Form
C,8 July 2005.
[17] Email from Col. J. Munongwa,
ZIMAC, Harare, 2 September 2005.
[18] Statement by Amb. E.
Muzonzini, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Kenya, First Review
Conference, Nairobi, 2 December 2004.
[19] Email from Col. J. Munongwa,
ZIMAC, 2 September 2005.
[20] Itai Dzamara “Lack of
funds delays demining,” Zimbabwe Independent (Harare), 27 August
2004.
[21] Zimbabwe,
“Communicating Elements of Plans to Implement Article 5,” August
2004, pp. 3-4.
[22] Zimbabwe,
“Communicating Elements of Plans to Implement Article 5,” August
2004, p. 3; for more information, see also UNMAS, “Joint Assessment Report
on Zimbabwe,” 15 February 2000, www.mineaction.org, accessed 14 September
2005; Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 882.
[23] Zimbabwe,
“Communicating Elements of Plans to Implement Article 5,” August
2004, pp. 7-9.
[24] Interview with Col. J.
Munongwa, ZIMAC, Harare, 27 March 2005.
[25] Zimbabwe,
“Communicating Elements of Plans to Implement Article 5,” August
2004, p. 7-8.
[26] Email from Col. J. Munongwa,
ZIMAC, 2 September 2005.
[27] Interview with Col. J.
Munongwa, ZIMAC, Harare, 28 April 2005.
[28] Interview with Col. J.
Munongwa, ZIMAC, Harare, 28 July 2005.
[29] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 882.
[30] UNMAS, “Joint
Assessment Report on Zimbabwe,” 15 February 2000, www.mineaction.org,
accessed 14 September 2005.
[31] Article 7 Report, Form C, 8
July 2005. Previously, Zimbabwe reported that the Kariba power station had been
cleared. Article 7 Report 2002, Form C, 13 February 2003.
[32] Zimbabwe,
“Communicating Elements of Plans to Implement Article 5,” August
2004, p. 2.
[33] Interview with Col. J.
Munongwa, ZIMAC, Harare, 27 March 2005.
[34] Interview with Col. J.
Munongwa, ZIMAC, Harare, 27 March 2005.
[35] Article 7 Report, Form C, 8
July 2005; Article 7 Report, Form C, 1 December 2003.
[36] Article 7 Report, Form C, 8
July 2005.
[37] Article 7 Report, Form G, 8
July 2005.
[38] Email from Col. J. Munongwa,
ZIMAC, 2 September 2005.
[39] Article 7 Report, Form C, 8
July 2005; Article 7 Report, Form C, 1 December 2003.[40] Interview with Col.
Munongwa, ZIMAC, Harare, 27 March 2005.
[41] “ZNA Clearing
Landmines,” Herald, 9 May 2005.
[42] Article 7 Report, Form C, 8
July 2005
[43] Zimbabwe,
“Communicating Elements of Plans to Implement Article 5,” August
2004, p. 8.
[44] Article 7 Report, Form I, 8
July 2005.
[45] Interview with Col. J.
Munongwa, ZIMAC, Harare, 28 April 2005.
[46] Zimbabwe, “UNDP
Support for Strengthening National Capacity for Disaster Management in
Zimbabwe,” January 2005-February 2008; see also Zimbabwe,
“Communicating Elements of Plans to Implement Article 5,” August
2004.
[47] Email from Col. J. Munongwa,
ZIMAC, 2 September 2005.
[48] Email to Landmine Monitor
(HI) from Col. J. Munongwa, ZIMAC, 19 September 2005.
[49] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 885
[50] Email to Landmine Monitor
(HI) from Col. J. Munongwa, ZIMAC, 19 September 2005.
[51] For more information, see
Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 885.
[52] Article 7 Report, Form J, 8
July 2005.
[53] “Landmine blast kills
two Zimbabweans on Taiwanese island,” BBC (Taipei), 25 April
2005.
[54] “Zimbabweans killed in
landmine explosion,” Reuters (Harare), 18 July 2005.
[55] Article 7 Report, Form J, 8
July 2005; “Health Action in Crisis”, Zimbabwe Country Profile,
WHO, www.who.int/hac/crises/zwe/background/Zimbabwe_Feb05.pdf,
accessed 17 August 2005; “Zimbabwe: Hospital in Need of Care,”
IRIN, 3 February 2005; for more information, see also Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, pp. 885-886.
[56] For more information, see
Landmine Monitor Report 2004, pp. 885-886, see also NASCOH website, www.nascoh.org.zw, accessed 18 August
2005.
[57] Article 7 Report, Form J, 8
July 2005.
[58] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 886; US Department of State, “Country Reports on Human
Rights Practices - 2004: Zimbabwe,” Washington DC, 28 February 2005.
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