Calvin Manika
A suspected landmine exploded and severely injured a nine-year-old girl from Hwange. She was left battling for her life.
The shocking incident reportedly took place Wednesday morning while she was playing outside the house.
The Zambezi Times learnt that the young girl from Simangani Ward 10 in Hwange was playing when she sat on a suspected landmine, which then exploded.
The explosion resulted in damaging her left leg and her buttocks. She was rushed to Hwange Colliery Hospital.
Villagers who spoke to this publication on condition of anonymity said the scene was messy as some of the girl’s leg fragments were all over the scene.
Mike Mlilo who visited the scene after the explosion said, “It was terrible, we heard the noise, when we followed up, what we saw was tragic, she was in pain. It’s sad.”
Simangani villagers allege that landmines in the area are being exposed by the incessant downpour of rains this year, posing danger to the community.
A concerned villager Victor Mwembe said: “The authorities must act like now, this is not the first time and we are not safe here. They know our situation and another young life is at stake now.”
The Simangani area has been affected by similar incidents before. It is suspected that the landmines were planted during the liberation struggle.
Despite the efforts of de – mining by the Zimbabwe National Army since 1980 they are places which have never been attended to resulting in the death of human beings and animals every year
