Story of Saul Nzuma alias Cde Rex Hondo

IN January 1980 ZANLA military commanders came from the army headquarters to Dzapasi Assembly Point with truck-loads of money for our allowances.
These were the first payments we were to receive as the process of integrating us into society began.
Ceasefire had just been declared and we were all eagerly awaiting the outcome of political negotiations which had just been concluded at the Lancaster House in London.
We relocated to Chiurwi village in our thousands.
This place later became the Dzapasi Assembly Point.
Dzapasi was named after the young brother of Headman Makuvise of Chiurwi village under chief Nyashanu in Buhera who was approached by Commander of Manica province Tonderai Nyika looking for area to accommodate ZANLA guerillas.
The camp was about 300 kilometres south-east of Harare and divided into three major bases; Base 1 where senior cadres stayed, Base 2 hosted female cadres and Base 3 had those that had just completed military training.
The camp was surrounded by mountains and in them heavy weapons were mounted.
There was uncertainity and mistrust.
How could we just come to terms with the fact that whites had accepted defeat?
Yes, we had sensed victory at the beginning of 1979.
Our determination and sheer courage to dismantle the seemingly hegemonic Smith regime had been the driving force to victory.
Still, there were lingering doubts.
There was that nagging doubt that whites would launch a surprise attack on us.
At Dzapasi, we were mainly ZANLA cadres who had operated in the Manica Province.
During our first two weeks at the camp we were fed by villagers the same way they did before ceasefire during the liberation struggle.
A whistle for parade was blown on January 15 1980 one afternoon.
We all rushed to the ground where General Solomon Mujuru was waiting to address us with his delegation.
They had brought good and exciting news.
They had brought us money for the first time ever since 1966 when the armed struggle against the British imperialists commenced.
We attentively listened as General Solomon Mujuru told us to be in orderly queues to receive our allowances of ZW$150 per person.
This was a lot of money because our Zimbabwean currency was stronger than the United States dollar and the British pound.
As ZANLA cadres who were coming from the bush and trained in the Marxist ideology, we refused the money.
We told the General and his delegation to take the money to the masses who had supported us during the liberation struggle.
Guerilla warfare which brought independence had cultivated an amazing relationship with the masses.
Truthfully at that moment in time we did not value money.
We had not used money in a very long time.
The fighters were the fish which could only fight and survive with the support of the masses who were the water.
When we came to the war front from various training camps in Mozambique, Zambia and Tanzania, we only carried our guns.
As for food, clothes and information, it was the responsibility of the masses. Zvipfuyo zvevabereki zvakatichengeta kuti tisafe nenzara.
It was collective effort because we were all fighting for one cause, freedom.
This moment was good for us because it was a moment of showing our gratitude to the masses for the support they gave us throughout the war.
We all agreed that the money be taken back and given to the masses.
Takavaudza kuti vadzokere nemari vape vabereki.
General Mujuru tried to convince us that things had changed because of the Lancaster House Agreement.
The political orientation we had received during our military training and the support compelled us to speak with one voice on the issue of those allowances.
After realising that we were adamant the delegation drove back with the money and we were happy.
We sang songs of joy, whistled and ululated because vabereki vanga vave kunodya mari yeziya redu.
Soon we, however, realised that we needed money for survival.

Compiled By Emergencey
Mwale-Kamtande.