Special Forces of Zimbabwe

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Special Forces of Zimbabwe are the units of the Zimbabwe National Army that operate as special forces. These forces have been deployed in several African conflicts, including the Mozambique Civil War and the Second Congo War.

Antecedents[]

In 1980 Prime Minister Robert Mugabe declared integration of Rhodesian Army, which at independence was the existing army, with the two guerilla armies: Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) and Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA). This meant Rhodesian Special forces were quickly disbanded and refounded. The Selous Scouts were disbanded and became the 1 Parachute Regiment. was created based on the Rhodesian Light Infantry and Rhodesian African Rifles. British advisors refounded the Special Air Service. Special Forces selection and training were taken from the ones used by Rhodesian army Special forces.

The first operation of the new Special Forces lasted from December 5 to 9 in 1984. Operation Lemon comprised elements of 3 Brigade, the Parachute Group and Special Air Service. Special Forces were deployed to Mozambique to protect the Beira Corridor railway link between Zimbabwe and the port of Beira.

Composition[]

According to Jane's Special Forces Recognition Guide, Special Forces in the Zimbabwe National Army include:

• One Commando Regiment (formerly One Commando Battalion, previously the Rhodesian Light Infantry), based at Cranborne Barracks, Harare. The commando regiment is led by Lieutenant Colonel Hwami Vengesai.^[1] Selection phase include four-day navigating day and night in the Zambezi Valley while carrying a 30 kg weight on an empty stomach. Further training curriculum include river crossing, mountain climbing, reconnaissance, anti-hijacking, sniping, unarmed combat, tracking and bush craft. Also included is jungle survival on wild fruits and natural remedies for medical treatment. Their operators wear Green beret.
• One Parachute Regiment (sometimes referred to as Parachute Group) at Andre' Rabie Barracks just north of Harare. The Regiment was originally reconstituted from the Selous Scouts Regiment.^[2] The Regiment is led by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Mazaiwana.^[1] Paras wear Maroon beret.
• Combat Diving Unit. Special Boat Squadron based in Nyami Nyami Kariba
• Special Air Service - based at Kabrit Barracks, adjacent to Harare Airport and at Inkomo baracks under the command of Colonel Panga Kufa.^[3] The SAS never allowed women to be recruited into the unit.^[4] Members wear the sandy/beige colored tan beret with the flaming sword ascribed their motto: who dares wins. The Zimbabwe SAS beret, blue stable belt and other disingusing features are exactly the same as those of UK 22 SAS regiment showing the parentage and deep close links that once existed on the founding of the Zim SAS. Therefore , Zim SAS is directly modelled after the British SAS. It is revered as the finest unit of the Zimbabwe special forces. Selection and training are the most extensive and toughest of any course ZNA has to offer. It is conducted in pursuit of the very top of the cream of the finest men. It is the only tier 1 special missions unit of the ZDF in modern warfare. In principle it is the equivalent of US army's Delta Force,UK 22 SAS regiment and Sayeret Matkal of the Israeli army. Upon completion of selection and training, the Zim SAS operators are to solve and conduct the most complex and demanding special missions far beyond the proficiency or capability of any other unit of the ZDF shaming even the elite commando and Parachute regiments. The Zim SAS being a special task force are trained to conduct surgical raids, precision strikes,counter terrorism, direction of air strikes, counter insurgency, long range reconnaissance, special reconnaissance, hostage rescue, VIP protection, sabotage, infiltration, kidnapping, direct action, surreptitious entry, psychological warfare, intimidation, assassinations,foreign internal defense, chemical and biological warfare, seige breaking,linguistics, proficiency in small arms, navigation, camouflage, unarmed combat, close quater battle amongst others. They possess the capability of also training, organising, and advising a host nations para-military and military forces for the sustainance of internal security as recently being deployed in the Mozambique insurgency against terrorist organisations troubling the host country. When called for, they also possess the capabilities of aiding other Zimbabwe government agencies in the pursuit of strategic national operations. The Zim SAS is the most secretive of all Zimbabwe army units and the government never comments about them nor is its information readily available. They also do not wear their distinguishing features publicly even during other army programs but wear those of other units outside their premises. Close links exist between the Zim SAS and the Zim Parachute Regiment as does the UK SAS with its Parchute regiment. It must be noted that the Zim SAS from its formations to around 1998 had very close links with its parent unit like UK 22 SAS and other commonwealth similar units like NZ and Aus SAS. They once cross trained together to exchange critical skills and raise quality in the pursuit of excellence. However, since Zimbabwe conducted land reforms and severed good relations with the UK and its allies, the Zim SAS suffered by being being excluded from participating in such crucial exchange programs. This raises questions about its present quality when compared to its other tradional equivalents. It is now partnered to similar Chinese and Russian special forces on exchange programs. However, in Africa it arguably is amongst the very finest units given its achievements in the second Congo war and its history. It remains the only unit in Africa and the only black country officially authorised to wear the distinguishing features of an "SAS operator" and also use the title, "Special Air Service Regiment".

• Zimbabwe Mounted Infantry or Grey's Scouts, a horse-mounted reconnaissance unit. The main unit used to be based at Guinea Fowl. The battalion conducts border patrols and anti-poaching operations. The regiment is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bothwell Brian Chigaba.^[5]
• Boat Squadron with five sub-units:^[6]
  • A Troop, with a strength of 40 men, equipped with a few interceptor craft.^[7]
  • B Troop with assault boats to ferry troops ashore
  • C Troop, with a large transporter, the Ubique—a 72 tonne landing craft capable of carrying 30 tonnes of men and equipment including armoured cars. Ubique was also armed with 12.7 and 7.62 mm machine guns for self-protection and covering fire purposes.
  • D Troop—this support group was trained for protecting beach-heads and making assault landings for non-specialised units, employing mortar and support weapons.
  • E Troop was deployed for the purposes of guarding the harbours on Lake Kariba and around the rest of the squadron, as required.
  • There is also a diving school, equipped with a decompression chamber, operated in

conjunction with the commandos.

Operations[]

Angola[]

Some sources^[8] claim Zimbabwean commandos led the final assault on UNITA leading to the eventual killing of Jonas Savimbi.^[9] Zimbabwe sent 2,000 troops to help the Angola government end the war.

Mozambique[]

Special Forces launched several search and destroy operations against RENAMO guerrillas.

• 5–9 December 1984 the Parachute Group and Special Air Service (SAS) spearheaded Operation Lemon.
• 20 August 1985 in Operation Grape Fruit the Parachute Group and One Command Battalion supported 3 Brigade in taking over the MNR Muxamba base.
• 28 August 1985 SAS and Commando Regiment units lead raid on Casa Banana.
• 24 January 1986 in Operation Octopus, Paras and Commandos were dropped near Marromeu to secure the town and the sugar refinery. 27 January 1986 several Para drops were made in support of the operation.^[10]

Congo[]

Zimbabwean commandos led by Captain Chrispen Nyachiwowo defended Kinshasa at the last minute when it was on the brink of falling to rebels and invading Ugandan and Rwandan army units. On this last minute defense of Kinshasa, nothing but professionalism and history was made, registering Zimbabwean commandos to arguably be amongst the worlds best as only 24 men from diamond squadron were used for the 24 hour special mission with 20 returning back alive reporting mission complete. The mission was very tough as the enemy was just left with but a few hours to declare DRC a colony, Kinshasa being surrounded and overrun by armed rebels until the Zim commandos arrived in enviable style around 12 noon and the following day around 12 noon after heavy fighting and successfully repelling the enemy sabed DRC. Nothing but tactical superiority and better trained special men rendered the mission a success. The names of these deadly commandos are engraved on a roll of honor at the commando barracks in exemplary remembrance to the High standards and excellence demanded of those qualified to wear the tartan green beret and dagger. Due to the river networks in the DRC, the Boat Squadron saw extensive use during the course of Zimbabwe’s involvement.

In August 1998, the ZDF had one SAS squadron supporting a battalion of paratroopers defending N’Djili from a Rwandan offensive. The Parachute Regiment suffered a heavy blow when 15 soldiers and their CASA 212 were captured after landing on an airstrip already controlled by the invading forces. It is believed the DRC government army unit they were supposed to join had defected to the rebels.^[11]

Zimbabwean SAS ambushed a column of rebel Type-59 tanks close to Kinshasa, knocking out the lead tank and creating panic in the rest of crews that abandoned their tanks and ran away. When the rebels attacked the airport, Zimbabwean SAS and paratroopers remained in possession of the military side of the airport plus the control tower and eventually defeated the offensive.

The battle of Kinshasa was won by the Air force of Zimbabwe, which operated from the section of the airport controlled by ZDF troops. It played a crucial role in the securing of Kinshasa as the ZNA could not move since the rebels were all over the place. It was the jets of 5 squadron, which played a crucial role together with helicopter squadrons of the AFZ who managed to neutralise the rebels by destroying their tanks and heavy artillery.

The AFZ gained a lot of respect as they demonstrated expertise and professionalism throughout the entire war. It was the Zimbabwean airmen who secured the Matadi corridor, Bukavu and the Inga dam with the support of the Zim commandos, SAS, Paras and Amphibious sqn.

For more on past operations please see the Zimbabwe National Army page.

See also[]

• Special forces of Rhodesia

References[]

External links[]

• Brief history of ZNA's Mounted Infantry & Parachute Battalion