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The Herald, November 29, 1979  

A MEMBER of the Patriotic Front yesterday called for the integration of the Zimbabwe Rhodesian and PF forces, saying that failure to do this now would lead to civil war.  

Mr Cephas Msipa, education secretary for ZAPU, and an alternate delegate at the Lancaster House talks, told what was announced as a “press conference”, that the prime objective of the interim arrangements would be to create and maintain the necessary conditions for “free and fair elections”.  

Under such conditions the PF would accept the verdict of the people as reflected in the results of the poll, he said.  

At the moment the external alliance was seeking an end to war so that a suitable climate for reconciliation could be speedily achieved.  

Apparently, said Mr Msipa, the British Foreign Secretary, Lord Carrington, was trying to “stampede” the PF into accepting “a treacherous ceasefire” that was a sure recipe for chaos as soon as the governor left Zimbabwe Rhodesia.  

He said: “This is what the South African Government is waiting and praying for. However, we have not driven out one imperialist in order to receive a new and more oppressive one in the form of apartheid South Africa.  

“It is in the interest of our people to show that it is possible for our young men who have been fighting each other to work together in defence of their country.  

“A start must be made now because failure to do this is a prescription for civil war immediately after the election results are made known.”  

On the issue of land, Mr Msipa said a PF-led government would acquire any land if this was deemed to be in the public interest, and compensation would only be paid for improvements made on it.  

Pensions that had been rightly earned would be paid to all employees in the public and private sectors.  

Lessons for today 

Progress can only be achieved in a peaceful and tranquil environment. Merging the Zimbabwe Rhodesia and PF forces ensured the enforcement of the ceasefire and a peaceful environment to facilitate the transition to majority rule in the country. 

During a transition there is need to ensure that there is proper planning to prevent a vacuum that others could take advantage of. 

In any transition there is need to compromise. Merging the Zimbabwe Rhodesia and PF forces ensured continuity and the easing of the PF forces into the military set up that existed then in the country. 

Whenever people are moving towards a new development there are people that are always watching to take advantage of any loopholes for their own benefit.