Key figure in 1965 prison break of freedom fighters Mabhena dies

Lovemore Dube

CDE Philip Mabhena, the man who played a crucial role in the prison break of four freedom fighters including the legendary Moffat Hadebe from Grey Prison (Bulawayo Prison) in January 1965, has died. 

He was 89. His daughter Ms Valinxeba Mabhena confirmed that Cde Mabhena died at Sotshangane Flats, Nguboyenja on Sunday.

“Dad had hernia, shoulder and body pains, among other complications,” said Ms Mabhena. She said he had been unwell for sometime and last month he was admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital.

On January 7 1965, Chronicle led on its front page with the story headlined: AIR AND POLICE HUNT FOR 4 ESCAPERS, while the sub head read: Three of the jail-breakers face charges involving machinegun attack on ranch.

The four, Cde Hadebe, alias Morris Dhlomo and the trio of the late Elliot Ngwabi, Clark Ngiyo Mpofu and Keyi Nkala, after seeking refuge from Zapu contacts soon after their prison break, were handed over to Cde Mabhena, who then undertook the risky mission of driving them close to the border with Botswana in Plumtree. 

From there, they skipped the country into neighbouring Botswana while Cde Mabhena drove back.

After sniffing around, the notorious Rhodesian Special Branch swooped on Cde Mabhena and subjected him to heavy torture. His car was confiscated.

Cde Mabhena remained a loyal Zapu cadre assisting Zipra guerrillas in rural Matabeleland and the Midlands with transport and other necessities as he travelled around selling music products for Teal Record Company later known as Gallo and ZMC.

He is among the unsung heroes in Oliver Mtukudzi’s rise to stardom. As a talent scout, Cde Mabhena is said to have been impressed with Mtukudzi’s husky voice and recommended him to legendary music producer Mr West Nkosi who nurtured artistes on either side of the Limpopo River up to 1982.

Cde Mabhena is the one who recommended legendary footballer and music producer, Tymon Mabaleka to Teal Records.

With Mabaleka rising in popularity as a footballer, Cde Mabhena felt they could exploit that and use him to sell music and do talent scouting and among his first production was Wozuzoboni Highlander by the late Ndatshi Mkhize.

Mabaleka would go on to produce music for John Chibadura, Vuka Boys, Khiama Boys, Naison Chimbetu and G 7 Commandos, Solomon Skuza and the Fallen Heroes, Christopher Shoko and Kwejani Band, Obadiah Matulana, Lovemore Majaivana and Jobs Combination, Lovemore Majaivana and Zulu Band, Mtukudzi and many other artistes who recorded under the Kudzanayi Label of ZMC.

Cde Mabhena is credited with promoting local music during a very difficulty war time risking his life by carrying Zipra cadres in his company vehicle.

He was born in Lower Gweru and attended early school there before completing his senior education in Bulawayo where he sought employment. 

Cde Mabhena will be buried at Nondweni in Umguza District.

He is survived by wife Makhaneni (Dlodlo), children Sithabile, Vuyelwa, Nqagu, Xoli and Valinxeba.