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Deminers
tell their story
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their story index page
Members of the demining team
of Mine-Tech answer some student questions |
22 January 1998
The following questions are answered by Eric Mlambo with some explanation
from Michael Laban. Eric is a 34-year old deminer (Team Leader) from
Chipinge (so he is not too far from home in Dombe). He has a wife
and six month old daughter. He has been with Mine-Tech since 1994,
and previous to that he was a personnel clerk. He is also an ex-combatant
from Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle. He has just returned to
Harare from Dombe.
Are you scared when you do your job?
ERIC: When I do my demining job
I am not scared because I was trained in this discipline. I have done
this job for ages now and am quite experienced.
Do your families go and stay with you?
ERIC: We don’t go and stay
with our families. We normally see our families after 42 days when
we come for rest and recuperation.
MICHAEL: Mine-Tech operates on
a ‘42 days on, 10 days off’ schedule. Between operations
there may be a considerable stand down period when people go home
for weeks.
Do you risk your life every day?
ERIC: Of course we risk our lives
when demining.
Do you like your job?
ERIC: I like my job very much because
I am saving lives, especially children. Youngsters are vulnerable
to landmines because they are inquisitive.
How long does it take to get rid of
one mine?
ERIC: There is no specific time
required to get rid of one landmine as it depends on the type of machine
(detector), soil, as well as the terrain on which a deminer is working.
But once the mine is detected, it is destroyed in situ.
MICHAEL: That is to say, it takes
less than a second to get rid of a mine, but it may take days or even
weeks to find it.
How are the sites to be demined chosen
and by whom?
ERIC: The client will choose sites
to be demined and priority is given to sites that are near schools,
fields and water sources.
MICHAEL: Actually, it is more involved
than that. Together with GTZ, the German Agency for Technical Development,
the IHD team, which includes Sr Saul of the CPD, set priorities based
on the needs of the Province of Manica, as given by Sr Saul, who liaises
with the Governor. This will determine target villages. Below that,
sectors of minefields within the target village are selected according
to the priorities given by Eric above. Funding plays a large part
in setting priorities. We can only clear what we have funds to clear.
Which tools/accessories do you use most?
ERIC: We use mine detectors (metal
detectors), prodders, garden shears, dogs and explosives.
Why don’t you use old army tanks?
ERIC: We don’t use old army
tanks because are not one 100 percent since they are not meant for
demining landmines.
MICHAEL: There are many reasons
we do not use them. The prime reason is as Eric says. Even when they
are fitted out for mine clearance, or even mechanical devices specifically
designed for mine clearance, they cannot clear ground to the UN Humanitarian
Standard of 99.6%. They may only clear up to 70%, which is acceptable
for military operations when trying to achieve a military objective
with minimal casualties. However, we are looking for nil casualties.
Mechanically-assisted demining can be very useful, but they have to
be followed by hand clearance (as do dogs) and machines are limited
by access (minefields are often remote and in very difficult terrain),
cost, and other factors.
Michael Laban and Eric Mlambo
IHD Team Harare
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