The Sunday News
We continue our interview with Cde Wonderful Sabaruata, a former Zanla combatant who operated in Matabeleland South Province. Matabeleland South together with Midlands and Masvingo fell under the Zanla operational area code named Gaza Province. In a conversation with our Assistant Editor Mkhululi Sibanda (MS), last week Cde Sabaruata whose pseudo name was Cde Nherera Masarakufa said he left in 1976 from Jersey Secondary School in Manicaland Province and crossed into Mozambique to follow his schoolmates who had left earlier.
Today Cde Sabaruata continues his narration by telling us about his training at Takawira Base Two in Chimoio, how he survived the Rhodesian raid on Chimoio on 23 November 1977 and eventual deployment in Beitbridge, which was under Sectorial 4 of the Gaza Province. In that sector there were four detachments. In fact in Matabeleland South, Zanla had two sectors, 4 and 5, the latter opened in 1979 covering districts such as Kezi. Below are excerpts of the interview. Read on…
MS: You spoke about arriving in Mozambique and receiving military training at Takawira Base Two at Chimoio. May you please take us through your training there.
Cde Sabaruata: The training was tough with now former Police Commissioner-General, Stephen Chocha (Augustine Chihuri) as the base commander while the chief instructor there was Cde Martin Ndhlovu. Others were Cdes Kasikai Chigariro, Brown Mhungu, Mbumburu, Hondo Mushati, Pondai and Seven.
In terms of weapon handling, we were taught how to use RPG12 (bazooka) Ak-47, CZ pistol and sub-machine guns. Among the comrades I trained with were Cdes Chop Chop, Mau Mau, Sejuice Chipanga, Six Six, Vinegar, Hokoyo, Mabhunu, Icho and Haridyiwi. We completed our training in October 1977 but remained at the base because we were scheduled to be sent overseas for further training. Chimoio was attacked by the Rhodesian forces while we were still there.
MS: How did you survive the attack, take us through what happened at Chimoio.
Cde Sabaruata: The attack on Chimoio by the Rhodesians was a very cruel one because we had vana vadiki (young people) who had their own base called Chindunduma or ma Red Guards whose duty although in a war situation was to go to school, then there was another camp for disabled comrades. Then pa Takawira we were attacked while tiri pa parade at about 8am. In fact, the whole of Chimoio, all the bases were on parade. We saw various types of military aircrafts such as helicopters, mirage, dakotas descending on the camp.
There were also ground forces. As for myself I ran towards where there was little vegetation nekuti ndaiziva kuti ground force ndikwo kwaino zara ikoko until I was out of the killing zone. I met other comrades who had also slipped through the killing zone. We walked and after four hours around 12 noon takafamba kuenda ku camp yema camarada inonzi Gondola. That’s where we put up for the night. The following day we were armed and we made for Chimoio and we were hurt by the way people, macomrades had died there. The situation was unbearable, kufa kwanga kwakaita ma comrades hauzodi kutarisisa.
After the attack on Chimoio there was a change of plans and I was one of those deployed to the Gaza Province. We were driven and dropped at Xai Xai forward base in Mozambique where we stayed there for two days.
MS: Then from there?
Cde Sabaruata: Tikazobva netsoka for two days until we reached the border at Chikwalakwala. The provincial commander then was Cde Freddy Matanga with provincial commissar being Cde Zongororo. At the beginning myself I was a section security, but with time I was promoted to the rank of platoon security.
MS: How were you armed when you were deployed?
Cde Sabaruata: We were properly armed and among the weapons that we had were sub- machine guns, mortar 82, light machine guns, mortar 62, bazookas and land mines.
MS: How big was your unit when you left Mozambique?
Cde Sabaruata: We were about 300 although we were all going to Gaza Province, some were deployed in Sector 3 and those were 140 while 160 were for Sector 4, which covered Matabeleland South. My commander was Cde Hamunyari. Our unit was made up of largely Shona speaking comrades, but when we got to Beitbridge we were received by cadres vangavakuziva Venda ne Ndebele. We were urged to start learning Venda and Ndebele so that we were able to co-exist with the masses. Language is very important in human relations.
MS: When you finally got to Beitbridge how were you received by the people, considering that the area was associated with Zapu?
Cde Sabaruata: I have to be honest the reception was not very bad, the people accepted us. We used to give them political orientation, we did that for three weeks I think so that they understand why we were there. We wanted the people to understand that the war was on and they should give us support.
We also wanted to familiarise ourselves with the local languages especially the Venda which is largely spoken in Beitbridge. After three weeks that is when we thought of engaging the enemy in battle. I should also mention that when we got to the ground there were no mujibhas vanga vaenda ku hondo either to join Zipra in Zambia or Zanla in Mozambique.
MS: You spoke of orientation for the masses, what message were you passing to the people?
Cde Sabaruata: We explained to them how the whites, our colonisers came to our country and took away our land, cattle from our fore-fathers.
After that they started forcing our people to work at their farms and mines as cheap labour. Those that tried to resist, vanga simudza musoro were arrested and detained without trial. We told the people that we should work together in waging the war. We said to the people their support was crucial in defeating the enemy. They were the water while we were the fish.
MS: Interesting, then tell us about your first battle?
Cde Sabaruata: My first battle was an ambush we laid near Zezani Camp. The Rhodesians were in a convoy of seven lorries full of soldiers. They were going to reinforce the enemy forces who were already at Zezani Camp. We had properly laid the ambush and we massacred them. Vashoma ndivovakapona.
MS: On your operations how big was a Zanla section?
Cde Sabaruata: A Zanla section was made up of between nine or 11 comrades. During my time in the Chief Chitaudze area in Beitbridge where I mainly operated we would move in a unit of either nine or 11. The number changed depending on the situation at hand.
To be continued next week
