The Crocodile Gang Operation: A Critical Reflection on the Genesis of the Second Chimurenga in Zimbabwe

Baxter Tavuyanago

The ‘Crocodile Gang’ Operation: A Critical Reflection on the Genesis of the Second Chimurenga in Zimbabwe

Baxter Tavuyanago

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The ‘Crocodile Gang’ Operation: A Critical Reflection on the Genesis of the Second Chimurenga in Zimbabwe

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Abstract

Early literature on the Chimurenga II in Zimbabwe has been conspicuously silent on the contribution of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) commando unit called the ‘Crocodile Gang’. Later literature on the same pointed to the Chinhoyi Battle of 1966 as the harbinger to Chimurenga II. This article rewinds the clock backward to 1964 and argues that the Crocodile Gang’s 1964 sabotage activities in the Melsetter district of Manicaland, which led to the killing of an Afrikaner white man instead launched the Second Chimurenga for ZANU. The paper interrogates the group’s activities in order to situate it in its proper historical place. It avers that the heroic activities of the group have continued to be overshadowed by exclusive nationalist history that continues to situate its contribution to obscurity. The paper argues that the activities of the group illuminated the armed struggle and inspired many to join the war of liberation.

References

26 Cites in Article

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Funding

No external funding was declared for this work.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

No ethics committee approval was required for this article type.

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How to Cite This Article

Baxter Tavuyanago. 1970. "The ‘Crocodile Gang’ Operation: A Critical Reflection on the Genesis of the Second Chimurenga in Zimbabwe". Global Journal of Human-Social Science - F: Political Science GJHSS-F Volume 13 (GJHSS Volume 13 Issue 32 (F4)).

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GJHSS Volume 13 Issue 32 (F4)

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Journal Specifications

Crossref Journal DOI 10.17406/GJHSS

Print ISSN 0975-587X

e-ISSN 2249-460X

Keywords

confrontation Crocodile Gang nationalists Oberholtzer oppression ZANU

Classification

GJHSS-F Classification FOR Code: 160699

Submission ReceivedDecember 6, 2012
Peer Review Double Blind
Handling Editor
Accepted January 5, 2013
Published July 25, 2013

Version of record

v1.2

Issue date

July 25, 2013

Language

English

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Article Matrices

Total Score: 101

Country: Zimbabwe

Subject: Global Journal of Human-Social Science - F: Political Science

Authors: Baxter Tavuyanago (PhD/Dr. count: 0)

View Count (all-time): 411

Total Views (Real + Logic): 3852

Total Downloads (simulated): 251

Publish Date: 2013 07, Thu

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Total Views: 3.9K

Total Downloads: 251

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