I survived the Tembwe attack

LAST WEEK, CDE CHIONE CHIMUKOSI, whose Chimurenga name was Cde Peter Tichatonga, recounted to our Political Editor KUDA BWITITI his arduous journey across the border into Mozambique.  He also reflected on the basic military training he underwent in preparation for combat and the challenging Détente period, which saw a temporary halt to the liberation war.  This week, he speaks about the events that followed the end of the Détente, including the advanced military training he received at Tembwe, where he survived an attack by the Rhodesian security forces.

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Q: You spoke about the Détente period. How did you sail through it?

A: The détente period was a particularly difficult time. Earlier that year, in March 1975, our leader Cde Herbert Chitepo had been assassinated. In the aftermath, several of our ZANLA commanders were arrested under false accusations of involvement in his death.

It was a time of deep uncertainty and internal strife for the ZANLA movement. Our numbers dwindled. Some left the struggle.

At Chesa, only about 13 of us remained. It was a tough time, but we persevered until, finally, the Détente period ended.

Q: What happened next after the détente?

A: The end of the détente saw the coming in of reinforcements into the Chesa area. These reinforcements were comrades who had been trained in Tanzania. They came in huge numbers and we were able to shore up our units to fully resume the war against the enemy forces.

In 1976, the war resumed and I still operated in the Chesa area. I was involved in several battles. However, I did not last long. I fell ill, having contracted malaria. Because of the sickness, I was deployed back to the rear.

I was transferred to Batalliao in Tete. There, I received treatment. After recovering fully, I was then sent to the Tembwe Training Camp.

This was for me to complete full military training. The training I had received earlier at Seguranca was basic, what we termed mabhindauko. This training was now more detailed.

Q: Tell us about what the training entailed.

A: Our mind had to be wired properly to be mentally ready for combat. We also received training in handling guns — all sorts of guns — including the AK-47. Furthermore, we learned a lot about guerrilla warfare, how to attack the enemy and when it is least expected. These were some of the main courses. It lasted for about two months. We trained at Tembwe Base 2 and after training we would then be deployed to Base 3.

Q: What happened after training?

A: A tragic incident unfolded at Tembwe sometime in 1977. This was essentially a sequel to the Chimoio massacre of 1977. We were preparing to go for our morning parade as was the norm. I and three other colleagues went to the river to wash our clothes. I think what saved me was that I had experienced combat before, at Chesa.

We detected a spotter plane. Soon after, more planes arrived. Most of the planes headed for Base 2, which was where most of the people were. These included seasoned comrades and new recruits. The planes came when most of the comrades were at the parade. We were lucky that we were at the river, preparing to head to the same parade. We sensed danger. Because we were unarmed, the only solution was to run away from the marauding air attack. It was haywire as people fled in different directions. Some ran without clothes. It got worse as paratroopers descended from the planes.

Q: How did you survive?

A: I was running for my life, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest, when I stumbled straight into a patrol of Rhodesian soldiers. But then, by some stroke of luck, one of them didn’t pull the trigger. Instead, he just glared at me, his voice rough, but deliberate: “Run away. Now. Or I shoot.” I didn’t wait. I ran . . . , half-expecting a bullet to tear through my back. But it never came.

To this day, I still don’t understand why he let me live. Was it mercy? Fatigue? A twist of fate? I’ll never know. But sometimes, in my dreams, I hear that soldier’s voice — and I wake up sweating, wondering if it was real or just my mind playing tricks on me.

Q: Do you recall some of the comrades who died during this attack at Tembwe?

A: Many people died. It was unfortunate that most of those who died were yet to receive training.  One of those who died was a girl from Makuwatsine village, here in Uzumba. Her name was Shelly. That is the name that quickly comes to mind because she was my home girl. But many people died, and I can’t recall most of them.

Q: What happened next after you fled?

A: After the enemy soldiers had left the area, we were able to regroup at Tembwe Base 3. I was then deployed back to Mt Darwin, where I was made a section commander. After some time in Mt Darwin, I requested to be deployed to Musana, where a new zone was opened. This area covered places such as Chikwaka and Goromonzi. We fought many battles in that area.

Next week, Cde Chimukosi speaks about some of the battles he was involved in.