Noel Mukono
| Noel Mukono | |
|---|---|
| Born | Noel Mukono |
| Occupation |
|
| Known for | Being a Member of the Dare ReChimurenga |
Noel Mukono was a politician and a senoir member of the ZANU party during the Second Chimurenga. Mukono became head of the military organ of the Revolutionary Council called Military Planning Committee which emerged in 1966 when detained ZANU leaders in Rhodesia issued the Sikombela Declaration which gave powers to leaders in Zambia to assume leadership of the party. His assistant was Josiah Tongogara. At this time Mukono was the Council's Secretary of Public Affairs.[1]
In 1973 bi-annual ZANU elections, saw Tongogara replacing Noel Mukono as the leader of the military unit effectively assuming the new role of Chief of Defence for ZANU.[1] Mukono however remained a member of the Dare ReChimurenga.
Badza-Nhari Rebellion
In 1974, Mukono supported the Badza-Nhari Rebellion in which ZANLA army commanders rose against the leadership of the High Command because of differences with Tongogara. After the rebellion failed with Nhari and Badza being summarily executed, Mukono was brought before a ZANU disciplinary committee at Chifombo Base comprising Herbert Chitepo as chair and Rugare Gumbo and Kumbirai Kangai as members. Mukono was suspended, along with Simpson Mutambanengwe and Stanley Parirewa.[1].
Another member of the Dare who was accused of siding with the rebels, John Mataure, was in secret and without the knowledge of Herbet Chitepo, executed at point blank range by a member of the High Command for his complicity with the rebels.
Detente
In 1975, during Detente, Mukono was was appointed chief commander of the Zimbabwe Liberation Council (ZLC), by Ndabaningi Sithole after the arrest of ZANU and ZANLA senoir members in Zambia following the death of Chitepo. Sithole was effectively replacing ZANU leadership.[2]
