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Herald Reporter
David Guzuzu, Arthur Maramba, Christopher Chatambudza, Simon Chingosha Nyandoro, Godfrey Manyerenyere, Godwin Dube and Chubby Savanhu are names that should be immortalised in Zimbabwe’s history.

These brave seven Zanla cadres marked the beginning of the decisive phase of the second Chimurenga by firing the first bullets and sacrificing their lives for the liberation of this country.

The sight of the battle, about 3-4 km from Chinhoyi town has been befittingly turned into the province’s heroes’ acre.

Very few people remember details of the bloody battle that took place on April 28 1966. The Herald team was lucky to meet and interview one of the survivors, Cde Mudhumeni Nyikadzino Chivende.

Cde Chivende said during that time he and others such as the late Cde Alex Nharara were involved in recruiting cadres for training in Zambia.

“Mashonaland West is a boundary province so our major task was to recruit cadres and to smuggle them into Zambia and Mozambique.”

Cde Chivende said the group that fought the memorable battle at Chinhoyi was not the first to enter the country.

“Four groups had entered from Zambia. One proceeded to Chegutu, the other one to Rusape, another one went to Harare and the last one went to Mvuma.” Cde Chivende reminisced.

“The last seven—the group that fought at Chinhoyi—arrived about a week later.”

He said among the group was David Guzuzu whom they knew because he had been recruited from Chinhoyi area. Others came from areas such as Guruve, Makonde and Hurungwe among others.

“David knew us and he had instructions to contact Alex Nharara and myself. He left the other six in the bush and approached us,” said Cde Chivende.

The group had come into the country from Zambia through Chinhoyi.

He said Cde Nharara, a Cde Muswere and himself accompanied the late David to their hideout.

“They were hiding at Golden Kopje Mine. At that time the mine was defunct. Nobody suspected there were any people using it as their hideout”

They sat under a tree and the guerrillas spelt out their mission to them.“They reiterated, ‘Our aim is to plunge the country into darkness. When the county goes into total darkness other groups would know that it was the right time to attack the enemy,’” narrated Cde Chivende.

Cde Chivende said he remembered that the young men were confident and seriously committed to their cause.

“They told us that nobody would touch them, ‘Nobody is going to touch us. They will only touch our dead bodies because when the thick comes to the thick we will fight to death. Nobody will take us alive. Do not fear for us. We fear for you because we have guns to protect us.’”

Their aim was to blow the pylon that carries power lines that branch to feed both the northern and southern regions.

“They wanted to destroy the pylon that hold electricity cables to both Bulawayo and Harare,” narrated Cde Chivende.

They hit the pylon but unfortunately the results were not favourable.

“The pylon did not fall. There was no engulfing darkness in the country. They admitted that they had failed. ‘Tinoda kuti tibvunze vakuru venyika kana pane zvatakakanganisa’ they said. (We want to consult the ancestral spirits of the area if we erred prior to our mission). We then went to consult the Masvikiro (spirit mediums of the area)” recalled Cde Chivende.

The Spirit mediums said ‘Vana havana kutiudza asi tinenge tiinemi.” (Our sons did not inform us about their intention but we will guide them always).

They were given maize meal for rituals. After performing the ritual they were advised to leave the maize meal in the forest.

“We were told that if the ancestors were angry and anything was to go bad the maize meal would be destroyed or eaten by animals,” he recalled. He said they did as they were told and the following day they found the maize meal untouched.

But two things had already attracted the Rhodesian security forces. One of the groups that had gone to Chegutu had started operating before the darkness signal. They had killed a white farmer called Verri-John.

The attempted blowing away of the pylon had also attracted the enemy.

“Chinhoyi became a hotbed. It was infested with the Rhodesian security forces. The boys then ordered us to go and collect more material in Harare because they said what they had was inadequate.”

Cde Chivende said unfortunately they found the Harare contact absent.

“We knew the situation in Chinhoyi was tight. Mabhunu aimhanyamhanya. We used back roads to travel back to Chinhoyi. The place was infested with soldiers and policemen. The moment we got to Chinhoyi we were instantly arrested.”

Cde Chivende said President Mugabe’s sister, the late Bridget who was teaching in Chinhoyi was also arrested.

“Vakamuti ihanzvadzi yemagandanga. (They said she was a sister to terrorists).”

He said the moment they were arrested all hell broke loose. The younger soldiers wanted them dead but the elderly soldiers said they wanted information.

“We were then tortured until we became numb with pain. We were suspended from a helicopter in flight. We were 4 and Masara sold out. We refused to divulge any information concerning the whereabouts of the guerillas. In fact we denied knowledge of their existence.”

Cde Chivende said at his home, two soldiers, two uniformed policemen, two detectives and four dogs were keeping vigil.

“They spent the whole night keeping vigil in my hut. But the following morning they were surprised to find a letter on the tables from the boys,” reminisced Cde Chivende with a smile.

He said the letter urged the Rhodesian forces to release Cde Chivende and others because they knew nothing.

“’The letter stated, ‘Leave those people alone. Havana mhosva. Huyai kuno tiri kwaHunyani. (They are innocent. Come and meet us at Hunyani River.)

The Rhodesian forces then went to the site where the all-day war raged.

“The guns started blazing at 9 am and the sound of the guns died down at around 4 pm. The Rhodesian army, including the air force was out in full force and it took them the whole day to contain those seven young men.”