The Hidden Killer
“The hidden killer."
These are the words Daniel Kutsakatika uses to describe to landmines that robbed him of his left leg. Concealed beneath the earth since the Liberation War of the 1970s, Zimbabwe’s landmines are, as Daniel explains, "waiting for their next victim."
Over the past four decades, the people injured by these deadly devices ordinary men, women and children; walking to fetch water, harvesting honey from their bee hives, cultivating their garden or herding livestock.
It was 1982 when Erina Jenyura stepped on a landmine whilst walking to her garden. Her left leg was so badly broken by the force of the blast that it had to be amputated. Although Erina was able to adapt to life following her accident, since her husband of 28 years died, it has been very lonely. She wants to be able to care for her grandchildren and great grandchildren but her injuries make this difficult.
Patience Musambizi was injured on 7th November 2003 as she searched for her parent’s cattle. She does not remember the explosion, only afterwards as people ran towards her screaming. The landmine didn’t just take her leg, she describes how it stole her most valuable role of being a caregiver to her family and her community.
Prince Mukoma was still a child when he was injured at 10 am on 16th August 2005 after entering a minefield to rescue his grandfather’s cattle. He recalls both the physical pain of losing a leg and the deep emotional pain of feeling ‘incomplete’ after the accident.
David Chibototo survived the bloodshed of the Liberation War but forty years later was injured by the landmines laid during the fighting. David had returned to his home village of Nyakusengwa to help raise his grandchildren and to build a larger home for his family. One sunny day in October 2017, he and his wife were out searching for building materials. David recalls hearing a loud thunderclap as he was thrown backwards. He had stepped on a landmine. He lost his right leg. No longer able to continue building his house, David spent his days silently watching his grandchildren play.
Rebuilding Lives
Since 2015, thanks to funding from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) HALO has been working with local partner, Cassim's Prosthetics and Orthotics to provide landmine accident survivors with artificial limbs. Together we have been able to provide prosthetics for over 120 people, supporting to them to regain their independence.
In December 2020, Daniel, Erina, Patience, Prince and David travelled to one of HALO's field camps in Rushinga District to meet with Mr Cassim and get measured for their prosthetics. Each prosthetic is then custom built by Mr Cassim in his factory in Bulawayo. In March this year, they returned to have their artificial limbs fitted.
For 75-year-old Erina, her new limb will allow her to embrace life again; giving her the freedom to care for her grandchildren and rekindle her passion for dancing.
For Patience, the new prosthetic will remove the limitations she has experienced since the accident. She is looking forward to being at the heart of her family and community once again; she will be able to walk her children to school, fetch water to cultivate her garden and contribute to the future of her village.
The accident took away Prince's self-belief. After struggling for many years, Prince knew he needed to start living with purpose once again and enrolled on a carpentry course in 2017. With his new prosthetic he has the confidence to pursue his dream of becoming a furniture maker.
Since being injured, David has questioned many times if he will survive. But now he can look to the future for himself and his family. He has returned to building his dream home.
And for Daniel, the 'hidden killer' has no longer robbed him of his life. With his new prosthetic limb he will be able to return to farming his land to support his wife, Dolika, and their three sons. He is also an artist who had to stop weaving straw rugs as he was unable to walk long distances to gather the straw. Now he can start creating again.
This work is made possible thanks to funding from:
The Government of the United States
