adminChristopher Charamba
When we talk about the liberation struggle, most of the tales refer to the heroes and heroines who fought on the front lines and risked their lives for the freedom we enjoy today, which some among us take for granted.But the history of our struggle for independence does not only involve the brave men and women who forsook their comforts to pick up a gun and enter the bush.
There are other unsung heroes who made a considerable contributions to the war efforts at times at great personal risk.
Mbuya Dambudzo Chitaunhike is one such heroine. Born in 1916, now aged 99-years-old, had it not been for her contribution to the comrades then perhaps the 1978 Salisbury petrol tank bombing would never have taken place.
Although now frail and hard of hearing, Mbuya Chitaunhike had no problems recounting her contribution to the war efforts in 1978.
“There were different groups of comrades who stayed in the mountains and the bushes. It was difficult to be a comrade. You lived like a wild animal, like a rabbit or a rat hiding in the bush or else you would be killed,” she said.
When some of the comrades who were sent to conduct urban warfare attacks arrived from Mozambique they settled in the mountains in Domboshava.
As one of the residents of that area, Mbuya Dambudzo risked her life to assist them while they were in the area.
“I was not scared of them. These were the people who wanted to fight for our land that God had given us. They were risking their lives and so I could only do my part in assisting them.
“We would cook for the comrades and leave the food in hidden places where they would come and get it. Only one of the comrades came to consult with me personally and that was Comrade Shumba,” she recalled.
“The comrades said they wanted to plan an attack in Harare. I told them that it was right that they were coming back from far places as this was the land of their ancestors, the land that God had given to them.
“I told them that they had to ask their ancestors to ask God to guide them in their endeavours for there to be success. Nothing can take place without God’s influence and it was important for us to acknowledge him,” she continued.
Although the comrades were hiding close to her residence, the nonagenerian did not engage all of them but instead was in communication with only a couple of them as a security measure.
“Comrade Shumba was the one whom I communicated with and there was also Cde Farai. They informed me of a plan to attack Harare and I said that perhaps they should try somewhere else as a test run for their Harare attack.
“Soon after that there was an attack at Stonedon Farm where they burnt down some of the shops. After this, the attack at the Petrol tanks took place and I do not know the details of what exactly happened but Comrade Shumba warned me that I should hide and wait until they had come back,” she said.
When the comrades returned she says there was jubilation and that she gave them a case of coca cola from the tuck shop that belonged to her son.
“They were successful in their operation and so I gave them drinks so that they could celebrate. It was only me doing my part. They had warned me to run away but I said that we are the owners of the land and there was no reason for us to leave,” Mbuya Chitaunhike said.
The celebration was short lived though as (Abel) Muzorewa’s forces who collaborated with the Rhodesians came to fight with the comrades. Shots could be heard coming from the mountains and there were helicopters that were sent to drop bombs on the area.
“About eight enemy combatants came and held a knife to my neck and said that I was hiding the comrades. I prayed to my God and said that I had done what I knew was right and that whatever my fate I was ready to accept it,” she said.
What seems to be by God’s grace some of the comrades were able to rescue her from these enemy combatants and warned her to leave her home and find somewhere else to go and live.
Mbuya Chitaunhike said she left and went to live in Chitungwiza with one of her sons as it was no longer safe.
“We lived there for five years and after independence Comrade Shumba came to look for us and took my name to the War Victims Compensation Fund. I survive on money I receive from that fund,” she went on to say.
Her husband was killed during the war by the enemy forces who came to her homestead and she was left to look after her family. Today she lives with and looks after her three grandchildren Batsirai (14), Abigail (12) and Elsie (9).
Comrade Lobo, one of the operatives who was part of the operation to bomb the Salisbury petrol tanks confirmed that there were other comrades who were based in the Domboshava area with them.
“There were different groups in the area and we were not on the same mission. Cde Shumba, Cde Farai and Cde Fanny were in a different group although they came to Harare to conduct missions. In fact, Cde Fanny was killed near Second Street Extension close to UZ,” he said.
Although there were different comrades who carried out the eventual mission to bomb the petrol depot in 1978, the contribution by Mbuya Dambudzo was essential. This woman risked her life to offer the little that she could to make life easier for the comrades.
Such commitment to the liberators from the people, who were like water to the guerillas — the fish — was vital to the overall success of the war and the attainment of independence.
Online Reporter