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LAST week, CDE GIFT KAGWEDA described to our Political Editor KUDA BWITITI how he survived the Nyadzonya attack in 1976. He later escaped the Doroi Camp in 1977 and headed to Chimoio, hoping to get the military training he needed to join the liberation struggle. This week, he recounts how he survived the Chimoio massacre. He also talks about his military training.
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Q: Tell us about your time at Chimoio.
A: It was a large camp where thousands of people lived. Most people at the camp did not have weapons. At Mudzingadzi, where I was based, I was involved in farming a variety of crops, like vegetables and grain. I was at Chimoio for a couple of months until that fateful day when it was attacked in November 1977.
Q: Describe the attack.
A: It was on the morning of November 23, when we heard the sound of Dakota military planes. We knew there and then that it was going to be carnage. The Mudzingadzi base was located further down in the Chimoio Camp. When the bombing started, Mudzingadzi was not targeted directly because of its location at the edge of the camp. However, the Dakota planes dropped paratroopers directly at Mudzingadzi. I saw many paratroopers landing.
Q: What did the paratroopers do as they landed?
A: They lit up everything in their path. They set fire on our buildings, crops and grass. It was horrific. Within minutes, it was like the whole Mudzingadzi was in flames. They were shooting comrades who were trying to escape. I saw many comrades being shot in the back.
Q: How did you manage to survive the fire and marauding paratroopers?
A: It is hard to describe but somehow, I managed to get out of the firing line whilst dodging the flames. I could see the paratroopers behind me. They continued to fire as I ran towards Mudzingadzi River. By sheer luck and divine intervention, none of the bullets hit me. I jumped into the river and swam to cross to the other side. I was now safe from attack.
Q: What happened next?
A: The plan was to get as far away from the camp as possible because I feared that the enemy forces would continue in pursuit. I ran into the bushes for some kilometres until I could not run anymore. After resting for a bit, I continued to walk. The plan was to get to Chimoio town to get assistance from civilians.
Q: For how long did you walk?
A: I walked for one-and-a-half days until I got to Chimoio town. When I arrived, I linked up with other comrades who had also escaped the attack. We shared tales of how we had survived. Many were injured and received assistance. Our commanders then joined us and advised us to proceed to Masengere. This was a camp where we had been before.
At Masengere, we were able to regroup and it was decided that some comrades should proceed to the Dondo Camp, whilst others would remain at Masengere. I proceeded to Dondo, which was also called Chamakweza.
Q: How long did you stay at the Dondo Camp?
A: We stayed there for some weeks, until early 1978. I was then selected to go for specialised military training in Yugoslavia.
Q: How were you picked?
A: The selection was done according to the respective companies that we had been placed in. We were flown to Beira, from where we proceeded to Yugoslavia.
Q: How many of you were selected to go to Yugoslavia?
A: There were many of us, so I cannot recall the total because we were selected to go for different programmes. I was selected to train in light infantry in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Others went for artillery and police training in different parts of Yugoslavia.
I spent three months training in Yugoslavia before I returned to the Dondo Camp.
Q: What were your activities at Dondo after you returned from Yugoslavia?
A: We took part in military drills and imparted the new skills that we had been equipped with in Yugoslavia to other cadres who were being deployed to the front.
Whilst at Dondo in 1979, our commanders decided to send me for further specialised training in intelligence in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
Next week, we conclude Cde Kagweda’s account as he tells us about the final days of the liberation struggle and how he helped to dismantle Rhodesian systems after independence.
Online Reporter