Gibson Nyikadzino
Zimpapers Politics Hub
On 12 November 1975, a historic development took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Commanders from ZANLA (the military wing of ZANU) and ZIPRA (the military wing of ZAPU) took a giant leap towards unity when they constituted an 18- member committee and named it Zimbabwe People’s Army (ZIPA).
The late Brigadier-General (retired) Hashim Mbita, who led the Organisation of African Unity (OAU)’s Liberation Committee, played an instrumental role in bringing the two liberation movements together.
This achievement was part of a broader formation and formalisation of ZIPA – whose genesis in 1975 saw it getting formally structured in 1976.
The amalgamation of ZANLA and ZIPRA forces led to the establishment of a joint command in Maputo, Mozambique, to coordinate a unified armed conflict against the Rhodesian colonial white minority government that was led by Ian Smith.
ZIPA heavily influenced the trajectory of Zimbabwe’s path to independence in 1980 by laying the groundwork for subsequent coalition efforts like the Patriotic Front.
ZIPA’s leaders had responsibilities ranging from army commander, political commissars, intelligence and security, army operations, logistics, political affairs, and training.
The core founding leadership of ZIPA included military commanders like Rex Nhongo (overall Commander), Sotsha Ngwenya (John Dube)- served as Deputy Commander, Afred Nikita Mangena (Chief Political Commissar), Dzinashe Machingura (Deputy Political Commissar), Elias Hondo (Chief of Operations) and Jevan Maseko (Deputy Chief of Operations).
There was also Ambrose Mutinhiri (Chief of Personnel and Training), Parker Chipoyera (Deputy Chief of Personnel and Training), Gorden Munyanyi (Chief of Intelligence and Security), James Nyikadzino (Deputy Chief of Military Intelligence and Security), Phelekezela Mphoko (Chief of Logistics and Supplies) and Webster Gwauya (Director of Political Affairs).
Other notable members in the founding command were David Todhlana (Crispen Mataire), Tendai Pfepferere (Mathia Mudambo), Obey Mudzingwa and Saul Sadza.
