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Stanford Chiwanga, [email protected] 

DURING the war that liberated Zimbabwe, a clandestine network of paths known as Umvukela/Chimurenga routes served as the lifeblood of the guerrilla movement. These terms, translating to “struggle routes” in Shona and isiNdebele languages respectively, were far more than mere geographical features. 

The Rhodesian Security Forces (RSF) enjoyed air superiority and sophisticated weaponry. Confrontation in open spaces was a recipe for disaster for the guerrillas. Therefore, outmanoeuvring the RSF was critical. The Umvukela routes provided a solution. These routes were not single tracks, but rather a complex web of inconspicuous trails. 

“The guerrillas . . . avoided main roads and stuck to a network of minor paths that snaked through the bush, over mountains and across rivers,” historian David Chanaiwa said.

The intricate network made it nearly impossible for the RSF to effectively track or intercept guerrilla movement. Scholar Terence Ranger further cements this point, noting that the “routes were deliberately chosen to be difficult for the enemy to follow.” The secrecy surrounding these routes was paramount. 

Villagers who sympathised with the liberation movement fiercely guarded their locations. While the specific paths remain undisclosed for security reasons and to protect those who helped establish them, some general characteristics can be gleaned from available sources.

The Chimurenga routes were more than just escape routes; they were vital arteries that sustained the fight. Guerrillas relied on these covert paths to move fighters, weapons, ammunition and most importantly, food. Without a steady flow of supplies, the liberation struggle could not have been sustained. 

“The ability to move supplies through these hidden routes was critical for the guerrillas’ resilience. Without them, maintaining a fighting force in the face of a superior enemy would have been nearly impossible,” said Dr Beatrix Jacobs, a specialist in Zimbabwean history. 

The routes facilitated the movement of not just material goods, but also manpower. New recruits could be brought into the fold, while wounded fighters could be transported for medical treatment in neighbouring countries. 

The struggle for Zimbabwe’s liberation enjoyed significant support from neighbouring frontline states, particularly Zambia and Mozambique. The Chimurenga routes provided safe passage for guerrillas seeking training, sanctuary and military aid from these allies. 

Dr Siphiwe Sibanda, a scholar of Zimbabwean liberation movements, highlights the importance of these routes in stating, “The secrecy surrounding these paths ensured safe passage for guerrillas who needed to travel between Rhodesia and neighbouring countries for training, rest and recuperation, and to acquire vital military supplies.” 

The network functioned as a lifeline, allowing the guerrillas to access the resources and training crucial for their fight against the Rhodesian regime.

The effectiveness of the Chimurenga routes depended heavily on more than just the physical terrain. Local knowledge played a vital role. Guerrilla fighters, for the most part, were not native to the areas they operated in. They relied on the invaluable assistance of sympathetic villagers who knew the terrain intimately. These villagers acted as guides, leading the guerrillas through the safest paths and providing vital information on RSF patrols and movements. Their contribution was crucial and went far beyond simply navigating the physical landscape. The villagers’ knowledge of local customs and social networks also played a significant role in ensuring the secrecy of the routes. 

In the face of a well-equipped and technologically advanced enemy, the guerrillas relied on their knowledge of the land, the support of the local population and a network of hidden paths to achieve a strategic advantage. Their success in utilising these covert routes serves as a powerful reminder of the ingenuity and adaptability required in the struggle for the liberation of Zimbabwe. — @plainstan