Maputo — It will take 100 years before Mozambique is free of its landmines says a report by Desminagem de Sofala (Dessof) an organisation that is clearing Sofala province.

Dessof and the national clearance institute have been conducting seminars and studies in Mozambique on the impact of landmines on citizens across the country.

About two million land mines were planted across Mozambique during the 16-year civil war between the current Frelimo government and the former Renamo rebel movement.

In most cases, there is no accurate information as to where the mines were planted because maps had been destroyed by the time the war ended in the early 90s.

The situation was worsened during the devastating floods of February 2000, when heavy rains moved the mines.

The Dessof study released last week indicates that the main victims of the mines are women, children and the elderly who step on them while walking through the veld to collect water or wood.

Husbands sometimes leave their crippled wives, while society tends to reject those who have been maimed, the report says. - African Eye News Service