Opinion / Columnist
Zipra war history under-reported
02 Jun 2021 at 02:13hrs | Views
THE Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (Zipra), the military wing of PF-Zapu, participated in the liberation struggle, but very little has been written about it.
Its commander Alfred Nikita Mangena was killed by a landmine planted under his car by the Rhodesian army.
The Rhodesian soldiers entered Zambia, and secretly planted mines along border roads which were being used by Zipra.
Then in October 1978, Rhodesia attacked Freedom Camp in Zambia. It was a transit camp where recruits camped before being sent for further military training in other countries such as Russia.
There were refugees and a thriving agricultural project. Mkushi Camp was also attacked.
Zipra made world headlines when it shot Air Rhodesia Flight 825. It was struck by a Russianmade missile.
The downing of the plane was a turning point in the armed struggle as Rhodesians began to realise that their combat planes were no longer safe in the air. We often read about Nyadzonia, Chimoio Rhodesian raids, more needs to be written on Zipra base raids.
Its commander Alfred Nikita Mangena was killed by a landmine planted under his car by the Rhodesian army.
The Rhodesian soldiers entered Zambia, and secretly planted mines along border roads which were being used by Zipra.
Then in October 1978, Rhodesia attacked Freedom Camp in Zambia. It was a transit camp where recruits camped before being sent for further military training in other countries such as Russia.
There were refugees and a thriving agricultural project. Mkushi Camp was also attacked.
Zipra made world headlines when it shot Air Rhodesia Flight 825. It was struck by a Russianmade missile.
The downing of the plane was a turning point in the armed struggle as Rhodesians began to realise that their combat planes were no longer safe in the air. We often read about Nyadzonia, Chimoio Rhodesian raids, more needs to be written on Zipra base raids.
Source - newsday
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