Chimoio: The blood that talks

attacks on guerrilla and refugee camps housing thousands of Zimbabweans during the liberation struggle.
It is estimated that over 5 000 sons and daughters of the soil – from the more than 14 camps scattered around Chimoio – perished in the well-calculated 23 November, 1977 ground and air attacks. The over 27 000 comrades woke up to a surprise attack during their morning parade at around 8am when almost everyone was at the headquarters for a briefing.
There was nothing the comrades could do as the attacks came at a time and moment they had no weapons to defend themselves. In contrast to the thousands of blacks who perished, only two Rhodesian soldiers died and six were wounded. The bombardments were very accurate and the Rhodesian forces wanted to kill everyone, including children, within the campus including the crippled and those who were receiving treatment. However, it was not to be as the heavens had the final say as the massacre had its own survivors who testify of their great escape through depressions and soaking themselves in the blood of their dead cadres.
The Mozambican soil drank the blood of the sons and daughters of this land, a number of them who had endured walking hundreds of kilometres at times without food just to acquire military training in an endeavour to end the British rule and to make sure that the prophetic words of Mbuya Nehanda will come to pass.
The mass killings resulted in mass burials of the comrades, some were recognised and some were not identified as their bodies were no longer intact as the napalm bombs used disfigured many comrades.
The Chimoio attacks might long be over but memories linger in the hearts of many Zimbabweans.
The shrines are still very sacred with a number of untold stories as the place is frequently visited by people of different backgrounds and for different reasons.
The most noticeable of all things are weather changes as you drive to the shrines. In most cases, it slowly becomes overcast a symbol of respect and joy of the fallen heroes, the sombreness of the place and its refreshing welcome as one is greeted by a good view of the old mango tress under which the first government-in-exile was elected. Looking to the east, the emotional feeling draws many into thoughts of the selfless determination by the combatants’ desire to fight for independence and preserve the future of generations to come.
As we endured the long journey to Chimoio, Cde Washington Bangalila, a survivor of the attacks, reminded us that the shrines are so sacred and a lot of things do happen.
“This is a sacred area and the fallen heroes are very welcoming. They enjoy your visits this is normally witnessed in a number of ways. At times you might come across a rabbit that will lead you from the Percy Ntini grave all the way to the shrines running in front of the bus or at times it rains as a sign of refreshment (idonhodzo kuvarere)”
Our visit to the shrines was not void but also came with a number of breathtaking testimonies and experiences. First, it was the caretakers giving their own testimonies of what happens at the shrines and one of them Martipuho Augusto related a story of a man who undermined the work they were doing.
“It was in June this year and the man was passing by. He parked his car and said we were foolish to spend time looking after graves. As he was going back to his car, it was gutted by fire, a sign that the comrades were not pleased with his utterances”
“He went to collect another car to carry the wreckage but the moment he tried to pull the wreckage the second car caught fire until he looked for a friend who used his personal car to pull away the wrecks” said Augusto. The national flag is another important aspect as it is raised at six in the morning and pulled down at six in the evening. If they fail to pull them at six o’clock they will automatically leave them and strangely, the following morning comrades will be seen all over the shrines. We also experienced some of the mentioned things especially at night after the tour of several mass graves.
Zanu-PF comrades from Harare South constituency and Mutare played and danced the night away though some of us were reluctant and chose to take a nap in the buses. We heard several knocks on windows, but without seeing those knocking, a development that left many terrified and forced them to join the singing and dancing crew. Harare South constituency legislator Cde Hubert Nyanhongo, who was leading the Harare delegation said “The comrades here are friendly these knocks are just an invite that lets enjoy the night together. This always happens whenever l come with most groups and it means no harm but an indication of how sacred this place is.”
Cde Nyanhongo is also a survivor of the attacks. The sky was black with some lightning silently decorating the sky once in a while. As the tempo intensified one could just feel that we were part of a big crowd and people danced without fear but an understanding of the friendliness of the comrades. Around 11.30 pm it rained heavily, probably an indication of how happy the comrades were but the miraculous part was that only the farm area received the rains as about two kilometres away, the land was dry. With some of us still surprised, Cde Elizabeth Masenu, whose chimurenga name was Sarudzai Hondo from Mutare said it was normal to receive such a welcome and a good treatment from the comrades.
Cde Hondo also lost a hand due to the bombings. “Being in this place reminds me of how the spirit mediums would guide us in different ways like causing mist in front of the enemy giving us an opportunity to hide, at times we could see eagles (zvapungu) and how they flew giving us a symbol of danger of happiness. We used also to work with two monkeys Jimmy and Shamie they would lead us out of danger once the enemy has occupied our territory”
“Whatever people experienced and testimonies shared is just a true reflection that fallen heroes are still speaking and expressing their gratitude or disgruntlement in the affairs of the nation that they shed their precious blood for especially the ladies who died at Takawira 2 vaneshungu nokuti vakafa vasati varwa hondo yacho?” Cde Masenu said.