Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The unique Bronze Cross of Rhodesia and Second Award Bar awarded to Lance-Corporal D. Ndhlovu, Selous Scouts, a veteran of countless internal contacts with terrorists, and also a leading member of a ‘snatch party’ during an abduction raid in Botswana, 12 April 1979

Rhodesia, Bronze Cross of Rhodesia, with Second Award Bar, reverse of cross officially inscribed ‘644777 Tpr D. Ndhlovu’, in original box of issue, good very fine £3000-4000

Bronze Cross of Rhodesia, citation dated September 1978 states:

‘For gallantry and leadership in action. During Oct 77, L/Cpl Ndhlovu, a member of the Selous Scouts, was deployed on operations in the Eastern operational area.

In the course of this deployment l/Cpl Ndhlovu’s patrol located and directed a strike against a group of terrorists. Five terrorists were killed, one being an Area Commander, and the others Section Commanders. The total terrorist rank structure in this area was thus neutralised in a single blow.

L/Cpl Ndhlovu later located two other terrorists who had escaped detection during a sweep of the target area. His section closed with the terrorists and killed them both.

On another occasion during Dec 77, L/Cpl Ndhlovu and his section sighted a group of eleven terrorists. His section engaged these terrorists, killing two of them.

During September 1978, L/Cpl Ndhlovu with a four man section made contact with a group of one hundred terrorists whilst moving along a ridge line. With great courage and complete disregard for his own safety, L/Cpl Ndhlovu immediately attacked the terrorist position. His swift action caused the terrorists to flee and in the engagement one terrorist was killed and numerous weapons and important documents were recovered.

L/Cpl Ndhlovu’s calmness, clear thinking and complete disregard for his own safety during these engagements were an inspiration to his men and greatly influenced the success of these actions.’

Bronze Cross of Rhodesia, Second Award Bar, citation dated May 1979 states: 

During April 1979, Lance-Corporal Ndhlovu, a member of the Selous Scouts, was part of a group tasked to carry out an abduction of certain ZIPRA hierarchy resident in Francistown, Botswana.

In order to effect this abduction, Lance-Corporal Ndhlovu posed as a sergeant in the Botswana Defence Forces.

At 0045 hours on 12th April 1979, two Land Rovers entered Botswana and proceeded to the ZIPRA Headquarters in Francistown.

On arrival at the house a Selous Scout posing as a Lieutenant in the Botswana Defence Force bluffed the sentry on duty at the gate of the security fence surrounding the house and effected an entry for the snatch party. This procedure was repeated once again at the door of the house, enabling the snatch party to enter the ZIPRA Headquarters.

The plan for the abduction called for the snatch party to play the part of outraged Botswana Defence Force members who had been involved in an armed clash with members of ZIPRA.

Lance-Corporal Ndhlovu was outstanding and played a most convincing part in the argument and accusations that took place. As a result, all occupants of the house, who were 17 in number, were captured and recovered to Rhodesia without a shot being fired.

Amongst those captured were the Commander of ZIPRA’s Southern Front and the overall Commander for Urban Operations in Rhodesia.

Numerous documents of great significance from the intelligence point of view were also recovered.’

D. Ndhlovu served with 1 Troop, Selous Scouts for both of the above operations, and was entitled to Parachute Wings badge number 184.

The only Bronze Cross and Second Award Bar to the Rhodesian Army.

Sold with the following original documentation: letter of congratulation on the occasion of the award of the Bronze Cross, from Acting President H. B. Everard, dated 25 April 1979; letter to same effect from President J. Z. Gumede, dated 28 November 1979 and another to the same effect from Lieutenant General A. L. C. Maclean, Commander of the Army, dated 5 December 1979. Sold with photographic image of recipient.