THE Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has concluded that an anti-tank mine, likely a remnant of the liberation struggle, caused the tragic explosion that killed three people in Binga. The incident occurred when a Binga Rural District Council vehicle struck the undetonated mine in an area not designated as a minefield.
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 Binga RDC chief executive officer Joshua Muzamba’s house in Sebungwe Mouth for some menial jobs and met with the unfortunate incident on their way back.
The deceased trio 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 around 8:30AM, 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 Muzamba’s place on their way back to Binga Centre, and Munsaka decided to use an alternative short cut road as the main road was muddy. Along the shortcut road, the vehicle ran over a 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.
The three Binga RDC employees suffered varying degrees of injuries and are admitted to the same hospital. Mr Munsaka suffered back and neck pains, and his condition is stable. Munsaka suffered fractured left ribs and a pelvic bone and was expected to be transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo. Munkuli is in a stable condition but complained of left side back pain. The vehicle was extensively damaged.
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