Ex-fighter relives 3 Brigade Camp attack
◆ From Page 8 would draw it. However, it was difficult to draw them in the mountain range, and we dismantled, carried and assembled them when we reached our position. We knew how to dismantle and mount them quickly. We also had some bazookas and the anti-aircraft, which we used to hit the ground, rifles and heavy machine guns. We disembarked the mountain and pulled our weapons along the Mutare-Nyanga Road towards Mutasa, before burying them underground as it was getting clear and could not move quickly with the heavy weapons. We could not run with a heavy weapons, so it was safe to hide them somewhere safe and carry rifles. What was the 3 Brigade Military Camp
attack meant to achieve?
The Rhodesian Force was attacking our rear bases in Mozambique, so we wanted to show them that we had capacity to attack them in their own backyard and camps in Zimbabwe. It was a declaration of war on their doorstep. Remember General Tongo (gara) had declared that our headquarters in Mavhonde, was relocation to Mutare, so that was the first signal of our intentions.
Did you achieve that goal?
Yes, we did and it was exceptionally executed. We annihilated the camp without suffering any casualties on our side. That was exceptional. We bombed the camp using motor rockets, and obviously, we caused lots of casualties in their camp. We caught them unawares. Obviously your enemies were more sophisticated than you. How did they respond to your attack?
They responded the following day while we were on retreat in Penhalonga, where we had gathered so that the big unit can now be dismantled into small units for guerrilla warfare. Unfortunately, and before we did that they tracked us, and at one point, we passed through a homestead where the Rhodesian soldiers were camped, but they could not dare us as we outnumbered them. They knew the direction we took and later, all types of fighter planes, the jets, bombers and helicopters followed us and hovered over us. We took cover in a pine plantation, and they did nothing because bombing us meant setting the whole pine plantation on fire. It was a tough moment and we moved to our gathering point in Mutasa at night. What do you attribute your success to?
What saved you for the day? Generally, it was a result of proper planning. It was the responsibility of the commanders to brainstorm and execute the plan efficiently and avoid causalities. When you are in a war situation you are likely to suffer casualties, but you have to properly plan your escape routes, where to camp, and even putting your unit into small units so that if one group is identified, the other can escape or pounce on the enemy.
Apart from the 3 Brigade Military Camp attack, which other battles did you fought in Manicaland?
The Mutarazi Falls battle in Nyanga. We wiped about 100 Rhodesian soldiers in five trucks. There are very good ambush sites (mangerengere) there and we planned it in such a way that no enemy escaped. It was in September 1978. We knew their trucks travelled in a convoy, and we laid siege a convoy of five lorries that were traveling to Mutare. The rest of my troops took positions on both sides of the road and I assigned one comrade with a bazooka to make a sudden appearance at the crown of the road and fire at the oncoming truck. The trucks caught fire, and the comrades started firing and throwing grenades from both sides of the road. We fired from an upland downwards and eliminated everything .We only retreated after seeing some fighter jets. We killed over 100 soldiers, and I did not see anyone escaping. We were at an advantageous position, and we could spot and snipe those who tried to escape. Am sure all died, and unless one was saved by their God or ancestors.
Did the Rhodesian army respond? They responded after about two weeks. They studied our movements and identified us as we camped at seven homesteads in Mutasa. After the battle, we went back to Mozambique to replenish our ammunition, leaving three comrades at the camp. The Rhodesian army gave the families notices to vacate their homestead to nearby confinements. The three comrades stayed put, and they were kept under surveillance. They had planned an attack the evening we returned.
We wanted to move out the following morning, but could not because it was too clear and normally we relied on mist to avoid detection. Ironically, at around 8 am, one of the comrades went out to relieve himself, and returned to give us a pre-warning that he had seen a spoil of Rhodesian soldiers. After about an hour, I went out to relieve myself. I had my ammunition pouch (bhandiriya) on, and about 30 metres away, I spotted a Rhodesian soldier advancing towards the hut. He wanted to take a position on the window. I just looked at him and turned my back towards the house. I could not relieve myself. Things had just turned bad. It was war time. I gave my group an instruction to occupy a nearby highland, but later realised that the Rhodesian soldiers were all over. An instruction to fire at us was issued, and bullets rained at us from all over. I tried to take my position and I was shot on the right hand and minutes later my left hand was hit by a launcher though it did not burst. I was paralysed and could not hold a gun. I asked a comrade closer to me to take my gun, and give me a grenade, so that I would blow it if I get captured.
How many casualties did you suffer during that battle?
We left many comrades there. It’s a painful story that I do not enjoy repeating. It saddens me each time I think about it. Some comrades died on the spot and others were wounded and captured. We left about 30 of them there. Only eight of us survived. I later realised that they had five encirclements of Rhodesian soldiers, one after the other like an onion, with us at the centre. If the target escaped one encirclement, they would face another. I was taken to Mozambique for treatment at Beira Hospital,
where I stayed for two months.
How did you manage to evade the five encirclements since all your hands had been injured and could not hold and fire a gun?
It was the grace of God. I only had two new fighters, who got into the battle front that fateful day. They remained with me, they were my rescuers. I would instruct them to fire each time we confront an enemy. One of them was Cde Togarepi, it was their first encounter. We met encirclements, and they fired, implying that we caused casualties on their side. I was admitted at Beira Hospital for two months, and spent another two months at the camp and went back to Mavonde HQ as an instructor until ceasefire in 1979. I survived the Mavonde attack where many people died. We shot down a fighter jet and it was not easy for them to penetrate us. After ceasefire I moved to Dzapasi Assembly Point in Buhera for demobilisation. I was supposed to be the first battalion commander for the amalgamated forces, but because my commander Cde Zimhondi cited the nature of the injuries as an impediment and, on the day of departure, chose my second in command Cde Mapfumo, who was fit, to go. How did you feel?
Well, I took my commander’s instruction. On reflection, do you think the instruction was fair on you?
Well it depends, some time I feel it was a huge betrayal. At times I feel God had a reason for that, otherwise I could have died.