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The Conflict with Renamo, 1976-1992
«1977»
Dossier MZ-0020
3. The Rhodesian Propaganda Campaign
Hots Up, and Spies are Caught
Not surprisingly, there is little contemporary reportage from the 1976-1977 period about the antecedents and formation of the MNR, since this was a highly secretive process. However, during 1977 the Rhodesian clandestine radio station, Voz da África Livre, continued to broadcast propaganda into Mozambique. A fairly constant theme was the alleged presence of Soviet and Cuban troops in Mozambique. The first, early articles about the 'Resistance' also began to appear, especially in the South African disinformation magazine To the Point. At the end of the year a few pieces appeared in southern African sources after a Mozambican spy called Afonso Cotoi, who had been infiltrated back into Mozambique by the Rhodesians, was captured by the government's security services.
MHN Resources
◊ 24 January
Voice of Free Africa broadcast. Reported in Summary of World Broadcasts, 24 January 1977. Click here to view or download a PDF file, size 109 Kb.
The MNR claimed that fighting had taken place within 60 km. of Maputo. The SWB also reported that the radio had broadcast a coded message: "As aves chegaram à montanha. Em breve segue transporte".
◊ 28 January
Warning against bogus collectors by Voice of Free Africa. Broadcast of 26 January, reported in Summary of World Broadcasts, ME/5424, 28 January 1977, page B/6. Click here to view or download a PDF file, size 83 Kb.
◊ 31 January
Exposure of propaganda about presence of foreign troops. Maputo radio, quoted in Summary of World Broadcasts, 31 January 1977. Report quotes The Observer [London] of 30 January 1977. Click here to view or download a PDF file, size 106 Kb.
◊ 10 February
Rhodesian collaborator in Mozambique. Maputo radio on 9 February, quoted in Summary of World Broadcasts, 10 February 1977. Click here to view or download a PDF file, size 94 Kb.
◊ 14 March
Réné Backmann. Les allumes-feu de Ian Smith. Nouvel Observateur [Paris], 14 March 1977. Click here to view or download a PDF file, size 481 Kb.
◊ 23 March
Fake cash plates made in London. Daily News [Dar es Salaam], 23 March 1977. Click here to view or download a PDF file, size 101 Kb.
◊ 23 March
Maputo reports on the arrest of eight FPLM members. Maputo radio on 23 March 1977, quoted in FBIS, 25 March 1977, page E4. Click here to view or download a PDF file, size 193 Kb.
◊ 22 April
Broadcast addressed to Cubans in Mozambique. Summary of World Broadcasts, 22 April 1977. Click here to view or download a PDF file, size 111 Kb.
◊ 23 May
Clandestine radio's broadcast in English. Summary of World Broadcasts, ME/5519, 23 May 1977, pages B/1-3. Click here to view or download a PDF file, size 426 Kb.
◊ 20 June
Radio's report on presence of Russians and Cubans in Nacala. Voz da África Livre on 17 June, reported in Summary of World Broadcasts, 20 June 1977. Click here to view or download a PDF file, 97 kb.
◊ 22 June
Radio's analysis of Machel's tactics. Summary of World Broadcasts, 22 June 1977. Click here to view or download a PDF file, size 212 Kb.
◊ 19 August
José Ramalho. Mozambique: Resistance fights for freedom from Frelimo. To the Point, 19 August 1977, page 57. Click here to view or download a PDF file, size 346 Kb. One of the earliest reports on the MNR, in which Ramalho mentions both André Matsangaissa and Afonso Dhlakama by name.
◊ 19 September
I'm a spy, says Afonso. Rand Daily Mail, 19 September 1977. Click here to view or download a PDF file, size 117 Kb.
◊ 20 September
Rhodesian agent on impending operations against the PRM. Maputo radio quoted in Summary of World Broadcasts, ME/5618/B/2, 20 September 1977. Click here to view or download a PDF file, size 173 Kb.
◊ 23 September
José Ramalho. Mozambique: tribal loyalties Frelimo's main stumbling block. To the Point, 23 September 1977, page 50. Click here to view or download a PDF file, size 158 Kb. On a group called FUSSA (Frente Unida do Sul do Save), allegedly part of the Resistance.
◊ 25 September
Capturado agente do exército rodesiano. Tempo, no.364, 25 September 1977, pages 62-64. Click here to view or download a PDF file, size 1.2 Mb.
◊ 29 September
Shadrack Soko. The confessions of a Mozambican spy. Zambia Daily Mail, 29 September 1977, abridged by Facts and Reports. Click here to view or download a PDF file, size 336 Kb.
◊ November
Tanzania-Mozambique: a tale of two spies. Africa, no.75, November 1977, pages 27-28. Click here to view or download a PDF file, size 346 Kb.
Consolidated Downloadable Zipped Files
Click on the yellow folder image below to download an unsorted zipped archive of documents and press clippings in PDF format concerning the armed conflict between Renamo/MNR and the Mozambican government in 1977. Note: it is possible that materials have been added to this archive that are not listed above.
