The Zimbabwe Mine Action Centre (ZIMAC) is responsible for ensuring Zimbabwe is fully compliant with its obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) which she ratified in the year 1999. The National Mine Action Authority of Zimbabwe (NAMAAZ) was established in 2000, spearheaded by the Ministry of Defence to enhance and facilitate coordination among different ministries in policy matters relating to mine action. The ZIMAC, is responsible for managing, executing and coordinating all mine action activities (removal and destruction of landmines/explosive remnants of war (ERWs) scattered around the country, Explosive Ordinance Risk Education (EORE), Victim Assistance (VA) and Advocacy). ZIMAC is responsible for ensuring this is done in accordance with Zimbabwe National Mine Action Standards (ZNMAS) as well as the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS). ZIMAC manages a national database using IMSMANG software, mobilizes resources and provides platforms for cooperation with donors and other international stakeholders. The office operates within the Ministry of Defence and reports to NAMAAZ and the Zimbabwe National Army Headquarters.
ZIMAC offices are conveniently in Harare. However, there are representatives in all mine affected areas. The Centre has over fifteen (15) staff assigned to the mine action programme from the Zimbabwe National Army. Civilian personnel are made available from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. These man and women are working together with our partner organisations to empower mine/ERW affected communities. We believe it is unacceptable that thousands of people continue being trapped in danger and poverty for years after Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980. We strive to ensure communities get on with their lives and get back their futures in safe environments free from mines and ERWs.
Thanks to mine clearance, many families have been able to return to their homes safely. However, there is still much to be done to totally disentangle Zimbabwe from the landmine menace.
ZIMAC strives to ensure a Zimbabwe free from mines/ERWs where civilians can walk freely without fear of stepping on a mine, children can play without mistaking an explosive remnant of war for a toy, and communities do not bear the social and economic impact of mines/ERWs for decades to come.
Roles and responsibilities:
*To represent the nation (together with NAMAAZ) and provide updates to Convention Member States during Meetings of State Parties and other international meetings
*To accredit Non-Governmental Organisations who wish to work in Zimbabwe on mine action activities and also cancel any accreditation in case of critical non-conformities.
*To prioritise and allocate areas for Clearance, Explosive Ordinance Risk Education (EORE) or Victim Assistance to operators in liaison with NAMAAZ.
*To ensure all mine action activities are done in accordance with the Zimbabwe National Mine Action Standards (ZNMAS) by conducting quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)
*To periodically review the national standards and ensure they are kept in line with the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS).
*Conduct boards of inquiries together with operators in case of demining accidents and make recommendations.
*Ensure every training in mine action activities is up to standards.
*Assist operators in conjunction with NAMAAZ in any matters that may require Government intervention.
*Plan and coordinate meetings and handover ceremonies of cleared areas.
* Provide statistics and progress data to all those who require updates.
*Timely submit Article 7 of the Convention to the Implementation Support Unit (ISU).
History
The landmine challenge in Zimbabwe is traced back to the war of liberation that culminated into the attainment of independence in 1980. At the peak of the liberation struggle from 1976 and 1979, the then Rhodesian forces laid minefields along the Northern and Eastern borders of Zimbabwe with the aim of preventing the infiltration of freedom fighters into the country from Mozambique and Zambia respectively. The initial contamination covered an area of 310.65km2 translating into a linear distance of approximately 850km with an estimated three million mines laid below and above surface.
At independence the Government was concerned with landmine problem hence sought assistance from the international community. The governments of UK, USA and the then Federal Republic of Germany responded by providing equipment while the Zimbabwe government provided the logistics under the National Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Programme. Under this programme, Army Sappers only opened gaps on selected spots to facilitate infrastructural development, access to water resources and grazing land. In 1997, the Government further sought assistance from the international community and the USA responded by providing a host of demining equipment, vehicles and also trained military engineers on humanitarian demining. This support saw the start of full-scale demining on the Victoria Falls to Mlibizi minefield in 1998 and simultaneously the establishment of the then National Demining Office. This was wholly under the Army Engineers. The office was then transformed to ZIMAC after the country became a signatory to the APMBC
It should be noted that from 2000 to 2012 the Government was the only actor conducting clearance through the military engineers without any support from the international community. The signing of MOU in 2012 between the Government and international organisations namely the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), HALO Trust and the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) brought the need to further capacitate and develop ZIMAC to a more effective centre, compliant with IMAS. The improvements of the office saw it moving up the international rating on performance to the 1st position in 2019.