Some comrades had strong spiritual connections

Chimurenga Chronicles

CDE JUSTIN SHAWARIRA, also known by his nom de guerre Advance K.K. Chimurenga, concludes his account by chronicling his exploits during the liberation struggle. He tells our Features and Arts Editor PRINCE MUSHAWEVATO about his experiences escorting senior leaders, such as Cde Rex Nhongo, on the battlefield.  He also shares a dramatic story about the loss and subsequent recovery of crucial strategy documents on the liberation struggle.

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Q: In your previous narration, you mentioned the importance of spirit mediums during the struggle. Could you elaborate on their specific roles and contributions?

A: Masvikiro (spirit mediums) played a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, providing spiritual guidance, protection and strategic insights to fighters. They were believed to possess the ability to communicate with ancestral spirits, who offered wisdom and advice on military tactics, enemy movements and the overall course of the war. I believe that even today, spirit mediums should be respected and consulted in national affairs. 

Some of our comrades were spirit mediums or had strong spiritual connections. Some were church members who prophesied, providing crucial information that helped us defeat the enemy. 

Spiritual interventions were pivotal in our victory against Ian Smith. Remember, it was a spirit medium who warned Cde Josiah Tongogara that he would not live to see an independent Zimbabwe, and, tragically, he died on December 26, 1979. 

Though sometimes their messages were not what we wanted to hear, they often proved to be true.

Q: Just to take you back, after going into Chibawawa and getting basic training, did you later get formal military training?

A: Yes! I trained at Chimoio, Takawira 2, in 1977. My instructors included Major-General (Paradzai) Zimondi, then known as Tonderai Nyika. He was the chief instructor. 

Cde Agrippa Mutambara, known back then as Cde Dragon Patiripakashata; Cde Vhuu; and Cde James Gatawa also trained me. 

I was eager to join the front, but after training, I was selected, along with Cde Bright Zvenyika, now known as Cde Tendai Bright Makunde, who was once a senator after independence and comes from Murewa. 

We were deployed to Doroi Camp. Upon arrival, I discovered that some of the leaders who had promoted me at Chibawawa, such as Cde Bhowas Mataruse, Cde Tenhekafamba, Cde Regedzai Tsuro and Cde Joseph Khumalo, were also there. 

After some time, it was decided that the camp had become overcrowded and needed to be split. 

Base One was created for females and I became the commander of Base Two, which included Cde Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, now Lieutenant-General and the current Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA). 

This base had many individuals who currently hold senior positions in the army. There were also Bases Three and Four, where Cde Chinx was one of the commanders, specialising in music. Base Five consisted of infants born during the war and young individuals who crossed the border. Lastly, Base Six functioned as a hospital.

Q: You can carry on.

A: I spent some time with Cde Makunde. He was my political commissar while I was the base commander, though he was significantly older than me. He even joined the war before me. 

In 1978, we were deployed to the frontline. I was part of the team tasked with escorting senior commanders. 

Initially, I came through Gezani, KwaMupapa, a region we referred to as Gaza province during the struggle, located in the Chiredzi area. 

I was escorting Cde Rex Nhongo, who was visiting comrades in different zones to deliver strategic messages and restructure camps in his capacity as a commander. 

While on this mission, we were attacked by Rhodesian forces in Rutenga.

Q: Can you tell us more about the attack?

A: We were nearly overrun by the enemy. I was with Cde Charles Tigwe and Brigadier-General Charles Gumbo, who was the detachment security officer. 

Someone had betrayed us to the enemy. The whites had received information that Cde Nhongo was in the area and wanted to capture him. He was a frequent target of Rhodesian attacks but survived most of them. 

We engaged in a fierce battle with the enemy. Our primary objective was to protect and evacuate Cde Nhongo to safety. 

We successfully repelled the enemy attack and they failed to capture him. 

However, during the battle, Commander Nhongo dropped a bag containing crucial strategy documents. 

After a tactical retreat, Cde Nhongo regrouped us. He made it clear that we could not leave the area without recovering the bag and its contents.

He warned us that failing to do so would have severe consequences, including repercussions from General Tongogara. He decided to lead a mission to track down the whites and attack them as they approached their camp. 

Despite being outnumbered, we managed to confuse the enemy with our aggressive tactics. They likely believed we had called for reinforcements. 

Although the battle was intense, we successfully retrieved the bag and its contents. We inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and some of them escaped, leaving the bag behind. 

I believe the enemy made a mistake by celebrating too early. They stopped for a meal before reaching their camp, likely gloating about their perceived victory. They underestimated us and did not anticipate a counterattack. 

Cde Nhongo was actively involved in the assault from the beginning. He was not a coward. Additionally, he deeply cared for his comrades. 

He was also highly intelligent. In fact, he often refused to eat if the other fighters were hungry.

Q: Which other leaders did you work with?

A: Other leaders I escorted during the war included Manica province provincial commander Cde Tonderai Nyika and his team, which included Cde Ganyau Takawira and Cde Bongozozo, both of whom were D-level cadres. Cde Chibage and Cde John Muchabaya were also part of the team.

Cde Nyika was a courageous commander. In 1979, I returned to the rear and was picked to attend training in Romania. I was part of a delegation led by Cde Joseph Khumalo, Cde Saudi and Cde John Muchapera, who were members of the General Staff. 

They headed our delegation. 

We were welcomed by the late Cde Lovemore Mazivisa, who represented ZANU in the country. 

While in Romania, we received military intelligence training at a military academy. The training covered a wide range of topics. However, upon arrival, we were subjected to a chemical treatment, likely Gamatox, to eliminate lice. 

We had opted to shave our heads, but they insisted against it due to the cold weather. We also had to undergo a procedure to remove matekenya, including a large one I had on my heel. 

The Romanians were shocked by the size of the insect/creature that was in my body and sent it to a laboratory for testing. We were later informed that it was poisonous. This experience highlights the physical and mental toll the war took on freedom fighters. 

Upon my return, Cde Tonderai Nyika expressed his desire to return to the front and asked me to operate in Chihota. 

Before deployment, we attacked Ian Smith’s military camp in Buhera, which housed a combined force of Muzorewa and Smith’s soldiers. 

Despite the camp’s strong defences, we successfully attacked and rendered it uninhabitable until the ceasefire. 

Afterwards, Cde Chibage and I were deployed to Chihota.

Other comrades, including Cde Prosper, Cde Hitler, Cde Mambara, Cde Chidhuwa, Cde Jongwe and Cde Soft Guy, had established a base there about three months prior. I remained in Chihota until the ceasefire.

Q: In conclusion, take us through your demobilisation journey?

A: As independence approached, we gathered at Mahusekwa, awaiting transportation to the Dzapasi Assembly Point. While waiting, we received a message that some of us would need to delay our departure to secure weapons stashed in strategic locations, monitor enemy movements and explain the ceasefire to the public. 

Later, we met with UN (United Nations) monitoring forces and proceeded to the assembly point. We remained there until 1980, when we were transferred to Roots Dam in Gutu due to water shortages at Dzapasi. 

In 1981, we moved to Tongogara. 

I subsequently joined the ZNA and completed several courses during my military service. 

I retired from the army in 1998 while stationed at Five Brigade. 

From 1999 to 2020, I was actively involved in politics, holding senior positions in Hwedza. 

After independence, many people began to recognise me by the nickname Cde Rambo Nobullah Osama Bin Laden.