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The Conflict with Renamo, 1976-1992
«January-March 1981»
Dossier MZ-0020
15. Mozambique Accuses South Africa
of Training and Arming the MNR
Above: Poor quality photograph published in Notícias on 12 July 1980, showing wooden crates of arms and ammunition and other supplies captured by the FPLM at the Sitatonga base.
In front of the local and international press, Mozambique produced several captured ‘bandits’ who were able to testify that they had received training at Phalaborwa, two hours from the Mozambican border across the Kruger Park. South Africa was thus taking over the role of supporting the MNR insurgency that had been launched by the Rhodesians. Another witness, a former SWAPO fighter, stated that Angolans were also present at the Phalaborwa camp.
In mid-January Mozambique and Zimbabwe signed a formal defence pact, clearly aimed principally at containing the MNR insurgency.
MHN Resources
◊ 9 January 1981
Quentin Peel and Diana Smith. Sabotage cuts power to lines in S[outh] Africa. Financial Times [London], 9 January 1981. Click here to view or download a PDF, size 102 kb.
◊ 12 January 1981
SA slammed as defence pact signed. Star [Johannesburg], 12 January 1981. Zimbabwe and Mozambique sign a defence pact. Click here to view or download a PDF, size 40 kb.
◊ 17 January 1981
José Ramalho. Rebel plan to march on Maputo. Star [Johannesburg], 17 January 1981, p.12. Feature article. Click here to view or download a PDF, size 135 kb.
◊ 10 February 1981
Two killed in derailment. Star [Johannesburg], 10 February 1981. Click here to view or download a PDF, size 38 kb.
◊ 12 February 1981
Para cometer crimes contra o povo moçambicano: grupos de bandidos são armados pela África do Sul, confirmam declarações de elementos que recentemente se entregaram às nossas autoridades. Notícias [Maputo], 12 February 1981, p.1, 4. One of the earliest evidence-based claims that South Africa was now training and arming the MNR, having taken over from Rhodesia. Click here to view or download a PDF, size 2.2 Mb.
◊ 16 February 1981
Machel’s speech and presentation of traitor officers at anti-S Africa rally. Summary of World Broadcasts [London], no.ME/6650, 16 February 1981, p.B/6- . Click here to view or download a PDF, size 23 kb.
◊ 16 February 1981
Support by S Africa for dissidents in southern Africa. Summary of World Broadcasts [London], no.ME/6650, 16 February 1981, p.B/6- . Click here to view or download a PDF, size 17 kb.
◊ 26 February 1981
Pillay kidnap: rebels blamed. Rand Daily Mail [Johannesburg], 26 February 1981. Click here to view or download a PDF, size 121 kb.
◊ 8 March 1981
Capturados mais de quarenta contra-revolucionários. Tempo [Maputo], no.543, 8 March 1981, p.2. Click here to view or download a PDF, size 14 kb.
◊ 22 March 1981
Os boers torturaram-me com choques eléctricos, disse à informação nacional um guerrilheiro da SWAPO que conseguiu fugir para Moçambique. Notícias [Maputo], 22 March 1981. Salomon Moses, a SWAPO fighter, testifies that Angolans and Namibians are being trained at Phalaborwa. Click here to view or download a PDF, size 159 kb.
◊ 31 March 1981
Relações luso-moçambicanos: o contencioso continua em aberto, lembra o dr. Evo Fernandes, delegado da RNM na Europa. O Diabo [Lisbon], 31 March 1981, p.12. Click here to view or download a PDF, size 177 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 January, February and March 1981. Note: it is possible that materials have been added to this archive that are not listed above.
