THE Second Chimurenga was sub-divided into three strategic provincial zones named after Mozambican provinces, Manica, Tete and Gaza for proper execution of the war.
Gaza was the biggest province which stretched from Chiredzi to Kariba, covering Midlands, Matabeleland, some parts of Mashonaland West and Masvingo.
The zone was first commanded by Cde Makasha, then by Cde Happison Muchechetere who was later replaced by Cde Freddy Matanga.
The Patriot recently visited Gaza Province Sector Two together with a team from the Zimbabwe Heritage Trust currently working on a documentary, Legends of Chimurenga Two.
Sector Two, which was commanded by Cde Willy Dewetewe, covered Mwenezi, Mberengwa, Shurugwi, Mpapa, Zvishavane up to lower Gweru.
Legends of Chimurenga Two is a story of ZANLA fighters, comrades Sando Kano, Dr Zu Tichatonga and Chauya Chinesu who were captured at Madhafu Base in Chief Nyamhondo’s area, Mberengwa and escaped to re-join ZANLA forces despite having been promised various ‘goodies’ by Rhodesians.
Gaza Province was important to the Smith regime because of its mineral wealth, sugar plantations and cattle ranches.
It was strategic in that it had major railway lines and highways which were crucial in linking Rhodesia to South Africa.
After Ian Smith’s Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) on November 11 1965, Rhodesia became heavily dependent on South Africa due to economic sanctions which were imposed by Britain.
After the outbreak of the Second Chimurenga, Rhodesian forces intensified operations in Gaza in order to safeguard the rail and road networks to South Africa as well as mining operations which were funding the war.
On the other hand, ZANLA forces embarked on a mass mobilisation programme to garner support from the aggrieved povo.
“Freedom fighters came here towards the end of 1976,” said Sheunesu Chinhamo of Mhonda Village in Mberengwa.
“I remember Cde Chapungu Chehondo and some few comrades came here first and started giving us political orientation.
“We appreciated their efforts of liberating us and promised them we would play our role as the water to the fish, as they regarded themselves.”
Mass mobilisation contributed positively to the war in Gaza province as there were no cases of sell-outs which characterised the war in Manica and Tete Provinces.
A cordial relationship existed between freedom fighters and the villagers.
There was an emotional reunion recently in Chief Nyamhondo’s area when villagers met Cdes Brooks Chinembiri, Dr Zu Tichatonga, Sando Kano and Willy Mazarura for the first time since 1979.
The above-mentioned comrades operated in Gaza Province.
According to Cde Canaan Nyika Mugadzaweta, alias Brooks Chinembiri, who operated in Gaza Province, the area became a liberated zone around 1977 because of the cordial relationship that existed between the fighters and the povo.
“By 1977, this area was a liberated zone,” said Cde Mugadzaweta.
“We closed all roads that linked several areas here in Gaza.
“Rhodesian soldiers only came in helicopters because they could not drive their military trucks on these roads.”
Cde Mazarura said the masses in Gaza Province were exceptional as he does not recall any sell-outs.
He said people in Gaza were united.
Zimbabwe, said Cde Mazarura, must emulate such unity.
“People here were united and understood the agenda of the war,” said Cde Mazarura.
“If we can learn from this community by approaching the business of the nation as one, we would prosper and the enemy cannot infiltrate us.”
According to Faston Mandoga, a mujibha during the war, people from Gaza Province were affected by racial segregation as they worked for whites in the mines and plantations in Chiredzi and Triangle.
This community was also bitter about the British colonial regime which robbed them of their cattle and drove them away to open land for cattle ranching and mining.
The Ndebele also suffered the same fate in the colonial era as Thomas Meikles and his Loot Committee looted hundreds of thousands of cattle.
Cde Mazarura said the terrain in Gaza Province was favourable to guerilla operations.
He said crossing the Gonarezhou Game Park was the biggest challenge as they would spend close to a week travelling in the game park and there were no povo to feed them.
“The major challenge was at Chicualacuala where we were given our weapons,” said Cde Mazarura.
“Every cadre would be given a booze and mortar bombs.
“We would also be given our rifles and 10 000 bullets.
“This was a heavy load we would carry for hundreds of kilometres while Rhodesians would poison water sources and intensified air-raids in Gonarezhou.
“We were forbidden to kill wild animals by our superiors hence we endured hunger along those journeys.”
Mazarura went on to say the journey to the border to collect ammunition from Mozambique would take three weeks from Gaza Province war front hence every bullet was important and only used efficiently when necessary.
Cde Charles Mukudu, alias Cde Dust, who also operated in Gaza Province, said Gonarezhou Game Park was unforgettable.
He said it was virgin land with a lot of rocks and thorns, without proper roads, hence shoes and clothes would be torn along the way.
“Commitment and dedication were vital in order to make it to the front,” he said.