News / National
Villagers stumble upon grenade in Plumtree
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A potentially deadly relic of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle was discovered last week in Thandawani village, Ward 7 of Masendu, after recent rains exposed an unexploded hand grenade believed to date back several decades.
The device was unearthed on Thursday, 12 May 2025, by a local resident who noticed the object partially embedded in the ground following heavy erosion caused by rainfall. Villagers said the grenade appeared rusted and aged, indicating it may have been buried since the time of the war of liberation in the 1970s.
"It looks like it was left during the war. Thankfully, no one was injured," said one villager who witnessed the discovery.
The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) acted swiftly upon being alerted, deploying a bomb disposal unit to the scene. The grenade was safely neutralised on 15 May, just three days after it was reported.
"Soldiers arrived the same day and neutralised the grenade. We are relieved," another resident said, expressing gratitude for the quick response.
Police confirmed the incident and said the matter remains under investigation.
"We are still conducting investigations into the matter, but the Zimbabwe National Army destroyed the object. It was discovered on 12 May 2025 and destroyed on 15 May 2025," said Assistant Inspector Stanford Mguni, spokesperson for the Matabeleland South provincial police.
Authorities have urged communities in former conflict zones to remain vigilant and report any suspicious metallic objects, especially in areas where historical war activities were concentrated.
Incidents involving the discovery of wartime explosives, while rare, still occur in parts of rural Zimbabwe, posing a lingering threat to public safety.
The device was unearthed on Thursday, 12 May 2025, by a local resident who noticed the object partially embedded in the ground following heavy erosion caused by rainfall. Villagers said the grenade appeared rusted and aged, indicating it may have been buried since the time of the war of liberation in the 1970s.
"It looks like it was left during the war. Thankfully, no one was injured," said one villager who witnessed the discovery.
The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) acted swiftly upon being alerted, deploying a bomb disposal unit to the scene. The grenade was safely neutralised on 15 May, just three days after it was reported.
Police confirmed the incident and said the matter remains under investigation.
"We are still conducting investigations into the matter, but the Zimbabwe National Army destroyed the object. It was discovered on 12 May 2025 and destroyed on 15 May 2025," said Assistant Inspector Stanford Mguni, spokesperson for the Matabeleland South provincial police.
Authorities have urged communities in former conflict zones to remain vigilant and report any suspicious metallic objects, especially in areas where historical war activities were concentrated.
Incidents involving the discovery of wartime explosives, while rare, still occur in parts of rural Zimbabwe, posing a lingering threat to public safety.
Source - CITE
