The Sunday Mail
IN our previous instalment, Cde Mazarura spoke about how the cunning Rhodesian armed forces resorted to chemical warfare, using undercover black agents to poison unsuspecting guerrilla fighters. In this edition, which wraps up our discussion with Cde Mazarura, the freedom fighter narrates to our Senior Reporter Tendai Chara how his group gallantly attacked a heavily fortified Rhodesian army camp and rescued two liberation war fighters who were set to be executed the following day.
********
Q: We ended our last discussion when you were accompanying fighters that were suffering from the effects of chemical warfare for treatment and rehabilitation in Mozambique. If you can continue from where you left off.
A: After accompanying the fighters to Mozambique, I was ordered to immediately return to the war front.
That was in 1978 and the war was intensifying.
The Rhodesian army had adopted a strategy in which Selous Scouts were deployed in mountains and hills where they monitored the movements of guerrilla fighters.
In the event that the Selous Scouts found out about the presence of guerrilla fighters, they would communicate with the air force bases and warplanes would be deployed to bomb the fighters.
The war was fought over a long period simply because the Rhodesians had the support of their air force, otherwise without the planes, we would have beaten them in no time.
Q: If you can tell us about the incident in which you attacked a Rhodesian army camp and rescued captured freedom fighters.
A: From the rear, I came back to the zone that I was operating from before the chemical warfare incident.
Then one day, when we were walking from Chirova to Magunge, we were approached by chimbwidos who alerted us about the presence of Selous Scouts who were posing as guerrilla fighters.
We engaged them at Madungwe and we overran them.
The following morning, as we were going back to our base, we heard gunshots from a distance.
Apart from us, there was another group which was being led by Cde Sando Kano, which was also operating in this zone.
We later gathered that Cde Sando Kano’s group had had an exchange of fire with Selous Scouts.
After the exchange of fire, the Selous Scouts retreated to their observation points from where they monitored Cde Sando Kano’s movements.
The Selous Scouts later on called for reinforcements resulting in a fierce battle.
Cde Sando Kano’s group was overwhelmed resulting in the capture of Cde Kano and Tichatonga. At this point, we were not aware of their capture.
Q: You can continue. . .
A: A few days after we had heard the gunshots, we were in Matibi where we were drinking wine that we had been given by a Roman Catholic priest called Father Stofelli.
He was our friend; he gave us home-made wine he made.
As we were drinking, a mujibha arrived and handed our security guy a note.
The note had been written by Cde Sando Kano, advising us that he had been captured by the enemy and was at Chirongo.
We decided to undertake a rescue operation.
Early that evening, around 5pm, we set off for Chirongo.
Using the information that was being supplied by the chimbwido, we set up our positions and lay in ambush.
The povo was being given orientation lessons by the Rhodesians at the camp.
I instructed my fellow cadres to wait for me to give them instructions to shoot.
I feared that if we launched an all-out assault on the camp, we risked endangering the lives of the povo.
From our positions, we could see what was happening in the camp.
A white Rhodesian soldier was guarding the povo while a black Rhodesian soldier was lecturing.
I aimed my weapon and squeezed the trigger. Tataaam!
I fired two shots and there was pandemonium as people scattered in all directions.
The Rhodesian forces, who were outnumbering us by far, shouted that they were ready for battle.
I told my juniors to concentrate on the area where the bullets were coming from.
I was nearly blown to pieces by a ball of fire from a bazooka.
The tree that I was using as cover was shredded into pieces.
We fought hard despite the fact that we were far fewer than the Rhodesians.
We then retreated. We were using hit-and-run tactics.
We were limited in terms of the bullets we had since it could take us almost a month to go to the rear for replenishment.
Q: So did the shots that you fired kill the Rhodesian soldier?
A: I do not want to answer that question because I would appear as if I am boasting about killing people.
People will end up referring to me as the guy who killed people.
I just shot at the Rhodesian soldier. I did what was supposed to be done. Whether the bullets killed anyone or not I wouldn’t know, or care.
Q: Were you not afraid of attacking the Rhodesians who were far outnumbering you and were better equipped?
A: We were not afraid. The spirit of the war was upon us. We were fearless.
If I tell you about some of the battles that we fought and how we escaped, you will not believe me.
In my case, I was possessed by the spirit of my grandfather, so I could do things that one cannot do under normal circumstances.
Q: Where did you go from there?
A: After retreating, we went to Ngungumbane and on a different day, we were at Silver Shopping Centre when a mujibha informed us that Cde Sando Kano had been spotted in the area.
I couldn’t believe it.
We later learnt that Cde Tichatonga had also escaped.
We were overjoyed.
We were happy since our mission to rescue them had been successful.
In Mberengwa, we worked closely with a local businessman called Mabhena. This man supported the liberation war cause and to me he is one of the true heroes of our struggle.
A few days later, we met Cde Tichatonga and we hugged and embraced.
He was grateful to us for saving his life. I learnt that Cde Sando Kano had travelled to Mozambique for further training. I reunited with Cde Sando Kano after the war.
Q: Do you still communicate with Cde Sando?
A: We are best of friends, actually, we are more than friends. He is grateful to us for saving his life.
Cde Sando ishamwari yangu yeropa. He was my commander, a brave fighter who taught many of us the art of war.
Q: Did Cde Sando give you anything as a token of appreciation for saving his life?
A: What? When we were fighting the war, we were not doing it for money or gifts.
If I wanted money, I would have gotten filthy rich during the war.
Remember, we were operating in Mberengwa where we had access to emeralds.
If I wanted money, I could have raided the emeralds mine, taken the minerals and abandoned the war.
Like I said earlier, we were possessed by the spirit of war.
From 1976 up until 1980, I was sleeping in the bush and during this period, I never slept in a house.
Q: Thank you for your time Cde Mazarura
A: You are most welcome.
After the war, Cde Mazarura was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army and after two years of service, he retired. He later joined the Air Force of Zimbabwe in 1983 before retiring in 2007. He is now a full-time farmer in Chegutu.
