FOIA
RHODESIA: DEATH OF ZANU MILITARY COMMANDER
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
0005642812
Release Decision:
RIPPUB
Original Classification:
U
Document Page Count:
2
Document Creation Date:
June 24, 2015
Document Release Date:
May 26, 2011
Sequence Number:
Case Number:
F-2010-00971
Publication Date:
December 28, 1979
File:
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 DOC_0005642812.pdf | 705.27 KB |
Body:
Director of
Central
Intelligence
APPROVED FOR RELEASE^ DATE:
05-23-2011
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
RHODESIA: Death of ZANU Military Commander
The accidental death on Wednesday of the military commander of
the Zimbabwe African National Union, Josiah Tongogara, adds to the
uncertainty about the durability of the Rhodesian settlement.
ZANU leader Mugabe told
that foul play was not involved in the auto-
mobile accident in Mozambique that claimed the life of
the ZANU commander. There inevitably will be. speculation,
however, that-Tongogara was killed either by enemies
within ZANU or by the Rhodesian security forces.
Tongogara had played a key role during the London
conference in persuading ZANU to accept Britain's cease-
fire proposals. In addition to his military command,
he was a political force behind the scenes and a poten-
tial political rival to Mugabe because of his ambition,
popularity, and decisive style. His death will hurt
ZANU's morale at a crucial time; he was expected to play
the major role in keeping ZANU troops under control dur-
ing the cease-fire.
We do not know whether Tongogara's deputy, Rex
Nhongo, will succeed him. Nhongo, who led the group
of ZANU military officers that arrived in Salisbury on
Wednesday, does not seem to have Tongogara's political
or military skills.
the British Governor in Rhodesia,
told the US special representative in Salisbury on Mon-
day that the British were far from confident that the
cease-fire will hold. expected that "hardcore"
ZANU guerrillas will not assemble at the designated
points and that the Commonwealth monitoring force may
suffer some casualties during the "crucial" early weeks
of the cease-fire.
5
28 December 1979
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