Perhaps the most notorious dissenter in the history of Zambia is the late Adamson Mushala, whose rebellion lasted from 1975 to 1982. He was initially a “UNIPist” and prior to Zambia’s independence was sent to China for guerrilla training with a view to coming back to overthrow the colonial government. But upon his return, Zambia was already independent. He then asked to be given the job of chief warden, but was turned down by the UNIP government. Mashala then joined the opposition UP out of frustration. But when the party was banned, he decided to go into exile in South Africa with a band of his followers.
His wishful dreams were diminished and he became disgruntled. He later become inspired by Jonas Savimbi’s UNITA’s activities in the pre and post independence Angola . He waged “war” against the Government of Kenneth Kaunda and actually agitated for the secession of North-Western province. Mushala carried out terrorist activities in mostly rural areas; he burnt villages, abducted women and children and “enlisted” child soldiers. He was particularly known for his magical prowess; he evaded
detection by Kaunda’s soldiers when sought for, by “disappearing in thin air”. There is even a story about him having flirted Kaunda at State house several times in his invisible state. But his days were numbered! He was tracked and gunned down by a young Zambian corporal after a tip off from one of his “wives”. The secret was for his pursuers to strip their clothes naked to find and hit their target which had turned out to be true. The “Terrorist” had gone on his routine daily activity of hunting and bee honey collecting. His body was displayed for the nation to see. There were suggestions from some members of the public to have his body cremated so that the ash remains are put in museums. The group of young soldiers who had been sent for this almost impossible mission (for such missions were normally futile, ending up in heavy casualties on the side of the Army) were honoured for having achieved this feat.
In 1975, he transformed his group into a combat force and returned to Zambia to wage a guerrilla war, which ended when he was gunned down by Zambia Army soldiers on November 26, 1982. His second-in-command, Alexander Saimbwende, took over the reins and continued the terror campaign until September 25, 1990, when he surrendered to the late Alexander Kamalondo, then a member of the Central Committee for North Western Province, and was flown to Lusaka where he was later pardoned by President Kaunda.
By the late 1980s, historic and economic forces had seriously undermined the legitimacy of Zambia’s one-party state. All the countries in the sub-continent had become independent. Namibia was free and there were signs that apartheid in South Africa would eventually come to an end. Democracy was equally taking root in Eastern Europe and communism had crumbled in the Soviet Union. The economic situation in Zambia was also deteriorating: low standards of living, lack of basic food stuffs, rising unemployment, poor social infrastructure and the rapid depreciation of the Zambian Kwacha.
On October 31, 1980, a “Mister Cheese” informed the then Director of Intelligence Services that some people at a farm in Chilanga, a few kilometres south of the capital, Lusaka, were plotting to overthrow the Zambian government. The second battalion of the Zambia Army was ordered to raid the farm. After exchanging gun-fire, eight suspects were arrested. They included State Counsel Edward Shamwana, the late Valentine Musakanya, Godwin Yoram Mumba, Anderson Kabwili Mporokoso, Thomas Mpanga Mulewa, former vice president in the Third Republic Lieutenant General Godfrey Miyanda and some Zairean citizens — Deogratis Symba, Albert Chimbalile and Laurent Kanyembu.
After a trial which lasted 11 months, trial Judge Dennis Chirwa, acquitted Lt. Gen. Miyanda and found the rest guilty. But this did nothing to change the depressing situation. The economy continued to slump while the standard of living spiralled downward. Also, the acute shortage of essential commodities, glaring nepotism and corruption continued. The price of the staple diet, mealie meal, also continued to increase steadily, while workers’ salaries stagnated.
On October 5, 1988, another group of 16 men were picked up for allegedly trying to unseat the Kaunda government. The group included late former Vice President Christon Tembo, Ex-energy minister Benjamin Mwila, High Commissioner to South Africa Colonel Bizwayo Nkunika, former ministers Bob Litana and Wilfred Wonani and former Zambia Railways managing director Emmanuel Hachipuka. Others were Peter Vundamina, Harrington Kayela Chishimba, Major Patrick Shula, Major Knight Mulenga, Major Nixon Zulu and Captain Wamulume Maimbolwa. The late John Kalenga, Donald Sadoki and Matiya Ngalande were also part of the group. Warrant Officer Christopher Chawinga and others were also picked up days later, accused of trying to rescue the group.
In May 1990, government increased the price of mealie meal, triggering a wave of riots in Lusaka and the Copperbelt. These riots seriously undermined the political atmosphere and an army lieutenant, Mwamba Luchembe, took advantage of the opportunity and announced on July 29, 1990, that the army had taken over. Three hours later, the attempted coup was crushed and Luchembe and a number of his alleged accomplices were detained. An outspoken politician, Chiko Bwalya, was also arrested for celebrating Luchembe’s coup attempt. But they were all released months later following a presidential pardon.
This coup attempt, coupled with growing public pressure, and pressure within the UNIP for democratisation somewhat rattled Kaunda, who immediately set October 17, 1990, as a referendum date to decide on whether to return to multi-party democracy or to maintain the one-party system.
At about the same time, a new political force was born. The national interim committee of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) was formed to mobilise public opinion to support the return to plural politics. In July 1990, advocates for plural politics met at the Garden House Motel, in Lusaka, to press the government to return to multi-party democracy. This saw the birth of the MMD, which comprised mostly disaffected members of the UNIP government, some trade unionists, academics and other professionals, and aimed to sensitise people on the need for a return to “full” democracy.
With clear public support in favour of the restoration of multi-party democracy, President Kaunda cancelled the referendum and instead announced constitutional changes for a return to multi-party politics. Kaunda also set October 31, 1991, as the date for multi-party elections. The MMD, led by trade unionist Frederick Chiluba, won the elections and Kaunda, in a rare act of benefaction, handed over power.
ADAMSON MUSHALA, Zambia’s MOST NOTORIOUS DISSENTER In HISTORY “He Gave Kenneth Kaunda Sleepless NIGHTS” added by on
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Ba Six Koloko
Thanks for that information. I read it with keen interest. I hope to read more of such. I wanna know more about the history of my beloved country.
Yes, very good staff here, despite given a wrong heading. At a glance, I thought the whole article was about Mushala and i said wow, today i’ll learn about Mushala A-Z.
This is good please continue educating us. we need more learn more. keep it up. exellent story.
so you are telling me that the picture of that clay eating fellow from some nondescript village is mushala’s?
ha ha ha ha ha. clay eating fella. uzinkalako na ulemu iwe
Ba tumfweko that is not Mushala above. Correct that mistake otherwise we shall discredit your article as well.
Just put the picture of his son Bert. They very much look alike.
please learn to do the right thing.The picture you have used in Mushala’s article is not his.Consult when not sure.
I agree with you thats also an insult to the Mushala family how would one feel somebody talking about your father then they put some picture of a criminal only them knows from. Thats low class journalism. Mushala’s family is still there one daughter actually worked for ZNBC in Kaonde News section. I still remember her name Mao Mushala.
keep up with such stories, thanks alot……..
so batumfweko ,ninshi chachine iyo PIC yabufi ？ and if so ,Why put someone face ,but the story is OK
How did the chinese embassy give such an urgly guy a visa
Look at his eyes
That looks like kambwili. Kambwili reloaded kiki. Learn to have some humour bane
Actually he looks like Madam Nalumango!
I am quite sure nalumango’s complexion is far fairer than that of the pic. However, kambwili on the other hand looks like his own shadow. kiki its humour thursday lelo.
I think he is ROY MUDENDA the bandit.
That’s uncalled for you muppet! Why use that derogatory term to refer to people from a particular region!
Six Koloko
What do you mean by Six Cloko. Please learn to respect others. pride in life is not good and remember that God loves us all. The six cloko that you are mocking is where the wealth is coming from and so think wisely even as you pass such comments.
KK
That’s not the picture of Mushala
This pic should be for chimbwi kambwi
The dude was handsome
If its possible please remind us about captain solo.
I have agreed with my colleagues.That is not Mushala’s picture.We know what Mushala looked like.When he was gunned down by Army crack squad I was still in school on the Copperbelt.I would have described him if I was given the permission.
I never saw Adamsom Mushala, but that has been the pic he has been associated with meaning he was the one in the pic. To be frank, Adamson was something else when it came to looks.
The story is good but the picture is not him,i know mr mushala for sure.
he looks like the UPND beautfull lady mama nalumango
Iyo. The eyes, the nose and the mouth..
Ba Tumfweko, you are up to some mischief.From my rich history,Adamson Mushala was never put behind bars by the Kaunda regime.The man in the picture is wearing a prison uniform.Wake-up!
Who can give us the brief history of the late Police IG Anderson Musole who we were told those days that he pulled a trigger through his head.
MAAAAAAAAAA is that an authentic pic or was it photoshoped cuz damn that dude is hidious as hell umubili wa’enda uwandi wat more………
He looks like NEZ after being captured by ISIS.
kiki indeed it is humour thursdays. Enjoy mune. we should also have time to have a laugh and what not.
wrong title. should have been “The Road To Kaundas Downfall.”
I will appreciate a similar story on the late Roy Mudenda, I was very young at the time.
The story writing reminds me of the Acres of Diamond, were the hero (starring) dies in the fist chapter of the book.
quite interesting am happy and leant history of my mother zambia. continue giving us such inform plz…we would want to know more.
Excellent staff. We are used to same stuff of bickering among politicians.
Is it true this picture is muashala face?
Fantastic history
Soon we r going to have another disgrantled mushala by the name of NEZ afta 2016 elections coz this chap will be very frustrated afta HH loses again, but for him it shall not take long to capture him coz he’s a no body. Non partisan bane.
You Seeing GODS Image.
mushala was the true man of action not ba ????? ngatebakashi kaunda nganikatwishi and what made him to be rebelious its the unfair of KK.. that is what will come very soon from north-western.. I think you heard what happened ku kalumbila that was just the begining…. mushala fellows..
Foolish mushala was!!!!!
Nice article, I need more of our History.
pwaahahahahahahahhahahah. some comments bane…
Zambia our beloved Country has rich history. Keep it up ba TUMFWEKO