Text to the newspaper cutting reads:-
Defence Reporter
THERE was another clash this week in the Maranda Tribal Trust Land between terrorists belonging to the banned ZAPU and ZANU organisations, it was said yesterday.
A security forces spokesman said yesterday that a clash occurred on Wednesday involving five terrorists loyal to ZANU. and eight affiliated to ZAPU.
The spokesman said the incident was the result of a ZAPU attack on a ZANU base. Security forces have recovered a large number of expended 7,62 cartridges.
It is not known whether any terrorists ivere killed or injured in the incident.
ZANU and ZAPU terrorists are waging war against Rhodesia under the banner of the Patriotic Front, which is led by Mr Robert Mugabe and Mr Joshua Nkomo.
This is the third report of inter-faction fighting in the Maranda Tribal TrustLand, south-west of Rutenga, in the past month.
At least five ZANU and ZAPU terrorists have died.
An elderly tribesman living in the tribal trust land told me last month: \"ZAPU keep saying they do not want to see ZANU across the Nuanetsi River. ZANU say the same thing. They do not want to see ZAPU on the east side of the Mlelezi River. These two groups hate each other very much.\"
The tribal trust land is part Ndebele and part Shona.
Security forces do not expect the inter-faction fighting to be confined to this area of the country. A spokesman confirmed yesterday that the groundwork for similar clashes has been laid in the Gokwe area.
After -a recent contact with terrorists near Machihiri, security forces recovered ZIPRA (the military wing of ZAPU) identity cards bearing the name \"and picture of Mr Nkomo.
Leaflets were also recovered which, a security forces spokesman said, indicated hatred for ZANLA, which is the ZANU military wing.
There have also been reports of Ndebele being beaten up by Shona in a tribal trust land near Salisbury, the reason being that they are Nkomo supporters. And Shona-speaking Africans are reported to. have been beaten up in Bulawayo townships.
End
Source: From the Rhodesia Herald, October 1st 1977 made available by Rob Picton (Intaf) Thanks Rob
Ref. Rhodesian Air Force, ORAFs
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