HomeOld_PostsChitepo’s death inspired father to join struggle

Chitepo’s death inspired father to join struggle

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By Marshall Mukadiro

MY father Coster Mukadiro is a war veteran from Nyazura who joined the liberation struggle in 1976.
Aged 15, father decided to be one of the many Zimbabweans who were crossing the borders to fight for their country.
He talks of various issues that influenced him to be part of the guerrillas.
The death of a dedicated cadre, the then ZANU National Chairman Herbert Chitepo in 1975 was not only sad, but it triggered many people to join the war.
The year 1975 was the same year when my father who was staying with his parents in Nyazura heard that his nephew ‘Ambros’ had been arrested in Salisbury, now Harare.
Ambros was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being caught with books about the liberation struggle.
He was accused of inciting people to join the war.
Father says news about more people crossing into Mozambique was no longer a secret.
During those days, whites began to intimidate chiefs, telling them that they should not allow villagers to talk about anything that had to do with the liberation struggle.
Parents on the other hand, feared for their children and restricted them from activities such as hunting and herding cattle.
Father says still in Nyazura, word about his uncle John Bvundura who had gone to Mozambique began to circulate, encouraging many to do the same.
Together with other village boys, father began to hold secret meetings discussing possible ways to go to Mozambique.
He recalls the seven comrades who came to Nyazura at Nyakuni Mountain and assisted him to finally join the liberation struggle in 1976.
It was my father’s nephew Cosmas who went to see them before hatching a plan.
Father says they left home pretending to be going to herd cattle yet they were Mozambique-bound.
Together with Petros Bvuma, David, Cosmas and Isaac, they went through Ruda Camp till they reached a base for Mozambican forces.
Mozambique had already gained independence in 1975 and Mozambican forces knew that many Zimbabweans were crossing the border in order to join the liberation struggle.
My father and company were interrogated by Mozambican forces before being transferred to Dafu.
From Dafu, they were sent to Doroi Camp where they met thousands of Zimbabweans who had arrived before them.
Doroi Camp was big and had many people waiting for military training.
My father’s Chimurenga name became ‘Crush Mabhunu’ and for a year, he stayed at Doroi awaiting training.
He says the living conditions were harsh.
Thoughts of going back home crossed his mind, but it was not an option.
People, he said, suffered from different diseases such as Cholera, Hurricanes, Hiccups and Malaria, but they bravely continued with the struggle.
When Chimoio Camp was opened in 1977, father was selected to go to Pungwe Three for training.
He did not stay long since Pungwe was bombed by the enemy, forcing an immediate transfer to Base Eight at Doroi.
Fortunately for father, he was among those who were selected to go for further training in Romania for nine months.
Father says with him was Airforce of Zimbabwe Commander, Air Marshal Perence Shiri and Twarai Tipone among others.
In April 1979, they came back to Mavhonde Base before being deployed to operate in Tete Province.
Father says he operated in Chaminuka sector and talks of the many battles he fought.
His first was a surprise attack at Matitima in Chesa, but with determination, they managed to pull through as they also did in other battles in areas such as Chesa, Matambo and Dande until ceasefire.
It was the dedication of men and women who participated in the liberation struggle that brought our independence in 1980.
I am glad my father is part of that team.

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