World Orders and Decorations 808
The rare ‘Selous Scouts’ Legion of Merit and Bronze Cross of Rhodesia group of three awarded to Colour-Sergeant Lameck Chiyaka, Selous Scouts, an original member of the ‘Experimental Teams’ formed under the aegis of the Rhodesian Special Branch and Army to explore the potential of ‘Pseudo-gang’ false flag operations and adapt them into a highly effective means of combating communist insurgency; Chiyaka worked with the legendary trio of Andre Rabie, ‘Stretch’ Franklin and Basil Moss and then, like them, became a Founder Member of the renowned Selous Scouts, serving for the entire time that this elite regiment existed and being decorated for gallantry both in classic Selous Scouts actions and when leading a daring and most successful cross-border raid into Botswana which resulted in the capture (and subsequent interrogation) of the entire command structure of ZIPRA’s Southern Front; only one other member of the Selous Scouts was awarded this combination of gallantry awards
Rhodesia, Order of the Legion of Merit (M.L.M.), Military Division Member’s (Combatant’s) breast badge, bronze, silver- plate and enamel, unnamed as issued, in original case of issue; Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (B.C.R.) (644718 L/Cpl L. Chiyaka); General Service Medal (R44718 Pte. Rameck); together with original award certificate for second medal, nearly extremely fine (3)
£5,000-£7,000
Member of the Legion of Merit (Operational), date of award 12 December 1979. The Citation states: ‘The increasing use of Botswana by ZIPRA terrorists as a springboard to Rhodesia resulted in the Selous Scouts being tasked to eliminate the ZIPRA command structure based in Francistown, Botswana. To achieve this aim, a Selous Scout detachment, disguised as Botswana Defence Force personnel, moved into Francistown by vehicle at 0045 hours on 12 April 1979. Colour Sergeant Chiyaka, dressed and equipped as a lieutenant of the Botswana Defence Force, led the snatch group into Francistown whilst a back-up group waited on the outskirts of Francistown. The snatch group, led by Colour Sergeant Chiyaka and accompanied by a recently captured ZIPRA terrorist, proceeded to the ZIPRA headquarters house, where Colour Sergeant Chiyaka demanded and gained entry through the security gate fence, from an unarmed sentry. Colour Sergeant Chiyaka then gained entry into the house on the pretext that a contact had taken place between his troops and a group of ZIPRA terrorists during which the Botswana Defence Force had suffered a casualty. Looking suitably angry, Colour Sergeant Chiyaka told the occupants of the house that he wished to search the premises for arms and ammunition. He pointed at a bed and ordered his sergeant (644777 Lance-Corporal David Ndhlovu) to strip it. A loaded folding-butt AK assault rifle was discovered under the pillow. Expressing great indignation, Colour Sergeant Chiyaka ordered the arrest of the entire group that occupied the house. Colour Sergeant Chiyaka’s attitude and demeanour was such that the occupants hastened to obey and the ZIPRA leader actually put his wrists together to be handcuffed by a Selous Scout without even being told to do so. The occupants of the house, 17 in number, were captured without a shot being fired and brought back to Rhodesia. Amongst those captured was Makepesi Tshuma, the commander of ZIPRA’s Southern Front, and Elliott Mpofu, the overall commander of Urban Operations. Information obtained from these two persons resulted in a substantial arms cache being uplifted in the area of Manaka village, south of Plumtree. The operation was a total success for, in addition to removing almost the entire ZIPRA command structure from Botswana, it also gave the Rhodesian Special Branch a tremendous volume of intelligence in the way of top-ranking terrorists and a vast number of documents from the headquarters. The success of this operation can very largely be attributed to Colour Sergeant Chiyaka whose resourcefulness, initiative and bravery were outstanding.’
Bronze Cross of Rhodesia, date of investiture 17 November 1975. The Citation states: ‘Lance-Corporal Chiyaka, a serving member of the Selous Scouts, was deployed as a member of a patrol, in the border area of north-eastern Rhodesia, during May 1974. Contact was made with the local ZANU chairman who in turn arranged for a meeting with a terrorist group numbering six. Lance-Corporal Chiyaka took a patrol out and in due course met up with three terrorists. The three terrorists were armed and were waiting in an extended line. Lance-Corporal Chiyaka with two members of his patrol went forward and met them. He was asked various passwords and certain background information, which he answered to the satisfaction of the terrorists. At this stage, darkness had fallen and the terrorist leader, a man named Hope Zichirira, suggested that the party moved to a fire in the village to hold a discussion. Both groups then moved into the village and seated themselves around the fire. ZANU songs were sung and the terrorist leader, Hope Zichirira, made an address of welcome to the “new” comrades. On the completion of this, Lance-Corporal Chiyaka got up and made a speech in reply. As he ended his speech he ordered his men to seize the terrorists. A violent struggle ensued; this was broken up when the remainder of the terrorist group that, unknown to Lance-Corporal Chiyaka, had taken up an ambush position outside the village, opened fire, killing one of Lance-Corporal Chiyaka’s patrol and wounding a further two. Two of the terrorists were immediately shot dead by Lance-Corporal Chiyaka’s patrol whilst the third terrorist made good his escape. Hope Zichirira, the terrorist leader, was one of the dead. Intelligence revealed that Hope Zichirira plus five terrorists, had been tasked by Nhari to recce and to programme the Pfungwe and Ngarwe areas for a large-scale incursion, later in the year. Lance-Corporal Chiyaka displayed courage and initiative of a high order and very nearly effected the capture of an important terrorist leader. In addition to this, valuable intelligence was gained as to future terrorist intentions in the Ngarwe/Pfungwe areas. During December of 1974, Lance-Corporal Chiyaka was deployed in the northwest of Rhodesia. Lance-Corporal Chiyaka and two members of the Selous Scouts were tasked with penetrating a ZAPU cell, this they accomplished most successfully and, in the process, recovered an arms cache containing 21 weapons (AK and SKS), mines and ammunition. Three cell leaders of the local ZAPU organisation were captured and the names of 30 locally trained terrorists were obtained and given over to Special Branch.’
This combination of gallantry awards is one of only two awarded to the Selous Scouts and is thus rare to the Regiment.
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