Why Does This Rhodesian Military Spy Resemble Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Face? – Eduzim News

Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Dubious Liberation War Legacy and Allegations of Treachery.

The Mystery of Corporal Obert “Ndlovu” Mabaleka: Why Does This Man Resemble Emmerson Mnangagwa?

Why does Corporal Obert “Ndlovu” Mabaleka, a decorated Selous Scout operative during the Rhodesian Bush War, bear such an uncanny resemblance to Emmerson Mnangagwa? Why does his age align so closely with Mnangagwa’s? Could it be that their stories are intertwined in ways we are yet to fully uncover? And if so, what does this mean for our understanding of Zimbabwe’s liberation history?

Mabaleka was no ordinary soldier. As an infiltrator for the Rhodesian Selous Scouts, he disguised himself as a freedom fighter, infiltrated guerrilla camps, and led unsuspecting comrades into deadly ambushes. He was celebrated for his cunning, awarded the Bronze Cross of Rhodesia for gallantry, and operated in a world of shadows and deception. But what if the skills he perfected—deceit, manipulation, and survival—mirror the traits of those who ultimately rise to power? Could this describe Mnangagwa himself?

Why has history seen infiltrators and manipulators ascend to leadership while true fighters are pushed aside? Could Mabaleka, had he survived (that’s if he is even dead in the first place) have risen to the same heights as Mnangagwa—perhaps even becoming president? And why do their timelines, roles, and methods seem eerily similar?

This story forces us to ask uncomfortable questions: Who were the real freedom fighters, and who merely played the part? Could the skills of a Selous Scout like Mabaleka reflect the very foundation upon which Zimbabwe’s leadership was built? The parallels between these two men demand answers, and the truth may change everything we thought we knew.

In the contested narrative of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, Emmerson Mnangagwa, the country’s president, has long portrayed himself as a revolutionary hero. However, allegations of betrayal, historical inconsistencies, and unanswered questions about his role in the struggle cast serious doubts on this image. Testimonies from former war veterans, political figures, and historical records challenge Mnangagwa’s narrative, raising questions about whether he was a genuine freedom fighter or an opportunist maneuvering for power.

Allegations of Betrayal and Treachery

Former First Lady Grace Mugabe unleashed a startling claim in 2017, accusing Mnangagwa of plotting Robert Mugabe’s assassination shortly after the 1980 elections. Grace stated:
“This man, Emmerson Mnangagwa, tried to kill the president soon after the elections in March 1980. He told the president to go to Mozambique, saying whites wanted to kill him, while he had arranged for Mugabe to be killed.”

This accusation mirrors similar allegations surrounding Mnangagwa’s alleged involvement in the suspicious death of his brother-in-law, Josiah Tongogara, a legendary commander of the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA). Tongogara died in a mysterious car crash in December 1979. Many believe his death was orchestrated to remove a powerful rival for leadership.

Political analyst Dr. Pedzisai Ruhanya observed:
“Tongogara’s death conveniently cleared the path for Robert Mugabe to consolidate power, and Mnangagwa was deeply entrenched in that system. It raises questions about his role in eliminating key liberation figures.”

Despite these serious allegations, Mnangagwa has remained silent, fueling further suspicion.

Questioning Mnangagwa’s Liberation Credentials

Mnangagwa has long claimed to be a member of the famed Crocodile Gang, a group led by the late Cde William Ndangana that conducted sabotage missions in the 1960s. However, war veterans have dismissed these claims as fabricated.

At a 2019 press conference in Harare, Cde Karen Kazingizi, a liberation war veteran, directly questioned Mnangagwa’s liberation credentials:
“We want to know these comrades who go around cutting voters’ hands. Are they real comrades, or are they Mugabe’s people he took from Ian Smith’s mercenaries? Emmerson Mnangagwa is one of them.”

She added:
“After coming out of prison, Mnangagwa studied law instead of joining the war effort. He was recruited by Mugabe to replace those of us who fought in the trenches. How does that make him a liberation hero?”

Her comments reflect a broader frustration among genuine war veterans who feel their contributions have been overshadowed by politically motivated distortions of history.

Parallel Narratives: Obert “Ndlovu” Mabaleka and the Selous Scouts

Historical accounts from Rhodesian records present a chilling parallel to Mnangagwa’s ambiguous history. 644764 Corporal Obert “Ndlovu” Mabaleka, a decorated member of the Selous Scouts—a Rhodesian military unit specializing in pseudo-operations—exemplifies how Africans were recruited to infiltrate and sabotage liberation movements.

Mabaleka’s role as a pseudo-operator included infiltrating ZANLA camps and manipulating fighters into ambushes by Rhodesian forces. A Rhodesian military historian wrote:
“Mabaleka’s operations were highly effective. On one occasion, he convinced a group of 30 fighters to walk into a Rhodesian patrol, resulting in 10 enemy fatalities. His work blurred the lines between friend and foe, a hallmark of pseudo-operations.”

This history raises unsettling questions: could Mnangagwa, whose age and timeline align with Mabaleka’s, have played a similar role? The silence surrounding his activities during critical years of the liberation struggle only deepens the mystery.

Grace Mugabe’s Warning and Mnangagwa’s Evasion

Grace Mugabe’s revelations extend beyond accusations of assassination plots. She also highlighted Mnangagwa’s alleged role in fostering a culture of political elimination:
“He worked with Mugabe to sideline real fighters after the war. Look at what happened to the Gamatox faction and other liberation leaders Mugabe purged.”

Indeed, Mnangagwa’s record during the Gukurahundi massacres of the 1980s, in which thousands of Ndebele civilians were killed, reveals a pattern of ruthless political maneuvering. As Minister of State Security at the time, Mnangagwa was accused of overseeing the Fifth Brigade, a North Korean-trained unit that carried out the atrocities.

War Veterans Demand Answers

War veterans have increasingly spoken out against Mnangagwa’s narrative. Cde Karen Kazingizi expressed the frustrations of many veterans:
“We fought in the trenches, but our contributions have been erased. Instead, we see individuals like Mnangagwa, who did not fight, claiming the glory. The youth deserve to know the truth.”

The Truth Behind the Crocodile

The emerging contradictions in Mnangagwa’s narrative, coupled with testimonies from war veterans and Grace Mugabe’s explosive allegations, cast a long shadow over his liberation war legacy. His silence on these matters only amplifies doubts.

Zimbabweans deserve an honest reckoning with their history. Until Mnangagwa directly addresses these allegations, the question of whether he was a genuine freedom fighter or an opportunist working behind the scenes will continue to haunt his legacy. As Cde Kazingizi put it:
“The truth always finds a way to surface. It is time for Zimbabwe to confront its past.”

Related