Online Reporter
Leonard Ncube
Victoria Fall Reporter
AN anti-tank mine left over from the liberation struggle, caused the tragic explosion that killed three people when a Binga Rural District Council vehicle struck the undetonated mine exposed in recent rains.
Three people died and three others were injured following the explosion near Sebungwe Mouth on Wednesday.
The injured are Binga RDC employees: driver Micka Munsaka (50), Obert Brown Munkuli, and Nonsern Munsaka.
The three had gone to the home of Binga RDC chief executive officer Joshua Muzamba in Sebungwe Mouth for some menial jobs and met with the unfortunate incident on their way back. They had been offered a lift from Muzamba’s house to Binga Centre.
Responding to emailed questions, deputy director of army public relations Lieutenant Colonel Tichafa Mungofa confirmed that the explosion was caused by an anti-tank mine.
“The Zimbabwe National Army would like to confirm that a vehicle belonging to Binga Rural District Council was hit by an anti-tank mine at Sebungwe Sanctuary in Binga on January 8, 2025, at 5pm.
“Investigations revealed that the place of the incident was not marked as a minefield and that the anti-tank mine could be a remnant from the liberation struggle, exposed due to incessant rains and weather conditions. Due to potholes on the section of the road where the incident occurred, the driver manoeuvred off the road, and unfortunately, the vehicle was hit by the anti-tank mine, triggering the explosion.”
Circumstances are that on Wednesday at around 8:30am, Mr Munsaka drove a Toyota Land Cruiser belonging to Binga RDC Campfire Department from Binga Centre to Sebungwe Mouth. Police said after finishing work around 5pm, the trio left Mr Muzamba’s place on their way back to Binga Centre, and Mr Munsaka decided to use an alternative shortcut road as the main road was muddy.
Along the shortcut road, the vehicle ran over an unexposed landmine, which exploded, throwing the vehicle upwards and eventually landing it on its right side.
The woman in the loading box suffered head and body injuries and died on the spot, while Wonder lost both legs and Yuna suffered a fractured leg, both bleeding profusely.
A local businessman residing at Sebungwe Mouth rushed to the scene and rescued Wonder and Yuna before taking them to Simatelele Clinic, where they were immediately transferred to Binga District Hospital.
Wonder died along the way, while Yuna died upon admission to Binga District Hospital.
