adminFeature Brigadier General Abel Mazinyane (Retired)
I trained with Mahlole in Morogoro/Tanzania. We later travelled together to the Soviet Union (USSR) for further training in 1972 after our initial training in Morogoro. I had been smuggled to go for operations in Zambia. Mahlole and others had remained in Tanzania. On our way to the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) we picked some comrades in Dar es Salaam for a flight to USSR. In the Soviet Union Mahlole, Daki, Cephas Pope, Billy Mzamo and others went to Sinferopol in the Cremia while Jack Ngwenya, Saul Gwakuba, Fibion Makonese Matswaha and I went to Moscow.
I later teamed up with Mahlole when we were assigned a mission to open a route to Mkumbura/Rhodesia. I was the commander of the mission and Mahlole was my deputy. This was a group of not more than 10 guerrillas. Among us there was one interesting comrade, his name was Makanyanga. Makanyanga had been trained in Ghana between 1961 and 63. He had later been immediately deployed inside Rhodesia. He returned to Zambia in 1971 and was sent to Morogoro for some more training in 1972. ZPRA was always upgrading its training syllabus. He did not want to reveal his activities in Rhodesia in 1964 to 1970. When we were operating together in Tete towards Mkumbura we had to collect our supplies from a point near Nyimba.
Nyimba was a growth point along Lusaka, Chipata, Malawi highway east of Luangwa River. Comrade Makanyanga got a nickname “Submarine” during our trips to collect our supplies. What happened was that on our way to collect our supplies we had to cross a narrow deep stream. To cross it we fell a tree across for a bridge. As the commander I used to position myself the second man in front on a march. I only learnt why comrade Makanyanga had been nicknamed Submarine long after we had left the area. I learnt that Makanyanga was not comfortable with heights. So he preferred to cross by swimming. This was one patriotic comrade.
The area we were operating through Tete/Portuguese East Africa had been depopulated by the Portuguese as an anti-guerilla warfare measure. Other than the supplies that came from Lusaka there was nothing we could get from the land. Because this was a strategic mission our supplies could only be delivered by a member of the High Command only. Our re-supply was so problematic that in one of our patrols towards the Zambezi we were contemplating to attack a Portuguese garrison (Zumbo).
Portuguese had a chain of military garrisons, along the Zambezi. They were at Zumbo (closer to the Zambia/ Portuguese East Africa border), Zambue, Tembue and Zobwe on the Portuguese East Africa border with Malawi. These were strategically placed to block the advance of freedom fighters into the interior of Portuguese East Africa. This was the Portuguese version of the Magnot Line.
We went to reconnite (spy on the camp) Zumbo, and we found that the camp had about three kilometres radius, cleared of trees. In the cleared radius trees were cut and the grass had been cut by a grass mower. Standing at the edge of the cleared radius we could see through binoculars a high observation tower. On the tower there was a manned machine gun and a search light.
Several plans to attack the camp were floated. Considering that the battle range of AK is 300 metres meant that Portuguese soldiers would effectively engage us for about two kilometres before our weapons could cause any damage. Comrade Mahlole stood firm against the raid of Zumbo, arguing that it was going to be suicidal.
Zumbo was or we were saved by the bell. Anyway we were lucky we killed a big lizard (uxamu). We ended the day with a delicious meal after all. For reasons beyond our control from here we found ourselves locked up in Ukonga Maximum Prison in Dar es Salaam/Tanzania. That is why the war of liberation was called a “Struggle”.
Mahlole used to say “abanye benu lizahawukela sesixoxa emabhawa ngempi ilizwe selithethwe”. (Some of you will be jealous to hear us boast at drinking halls of our exploits during the war if you do not demonstrate your bravery now).
Comrade Mahlole survived an assassination attempt. He was shot and wounded by a Rhodesian infiltrator. The infiltrator shot Mahlole, Nzula and Christopher. Nzula and Mahlole survived. Unfortunately Christopher died.
I personally had a close encounter with this infiltrator when I visited the base he was in to interview some young boys who had been crossed into Zambia to be quickly trained and returned to Rhodesia before they were missed. This man always sat close by when I was interviewing these boys. I became uncomfortable and spoke with a low voice to avoid him eavesdropping on the interviews.
The night before I left the camp I was disturbed by a clicking noise. I woke up to find this enemy agent kneeling close to my head. Before I could ask, he told me that he was tying his shoes and that he and others were going to Mabhuku’s base camp. It was 3 o’clock in the morning.
He shot the above mentioned comrades two days later. On his interrogation he revealed that he had an appetite for my demise during my stay. VP Mphoko who was the chief of logistics, was shocked by this incident because on several occasions he had been exposed to this infiltrator.
However, comrade Mahlole was lucky to survive the assassination attempt. He survived a lot more during his time in the liberation war. Comrade Mahlole was later appointed first commander of the Southern Front when it was established. He was kidnapped together with hundreds of refugees (who were taken back to Rhodesia) in Francistown, Botswana but comrades Mahlole and Makepesi were shot at point blank on the spot. To me this man will always be a hero.
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo