Malawian Dictator's Fall Ends Military Supply Smuggling to Mozambique's Renamo Rebels

For six years, the government of Malawi's dictator, Hastings Kamuzu Banda, protected an operation run by a white Zimbabwean, Rodney Hein, to smuggle military supplies to the Renamo rebels in Mozambique. The operation, which was disguised as an evangelist Christian church, continued until the end of last year, despite the October 1992 peace accord between the rebels and the Mozambique government. Hein's cover was the Blantyre Christian Centre, financed by right-wing church organizations in the United States, and he used false flight plans to transport goods to the rebels.

Hein's flights left Chileka airport in Blantyre as often as once or twice a day, escorted by the police and special branch, and carrying goods that were not inspected. His cargo plane, with the slogan "Pilots for Christ" on it, flew direct to Mtakataka police airfield near Lake Malawi, and he was often in contact with the Renamo leader, Afonso Dhlakama. Hein's wife, Ellie, claimed she was on an evangelising mission but brought second-hand clothes to distribute at a Renamo political rally, which nearly caused a riot among the women.

Key Takeaways:

• The operation, led by Rodney Hein, was protected by the Malawian government for six years, despite the peace accord between Renamo and the Mozambican government in 1992.
• Hein used the Blantyre Christian Centre, financed by right-wing church organizations in the United States, as a cover for his operation.
• His cargo plane, with the slogan "Pilots for Christ" on it, flew direct to Mtakataka police airfield near Lake Malawi, carrying goods that were not inspected.
• Hein's flights were often escorted by the police and special branch, and his wife, Ellie, distributed second-hand clothes at a Renamo political rally.
• Hein served as an intermediary between Renamo, Malawi officials, and the Kenyan authorities, who also lent their support to the rebels.
• US intelligence documents detail continuing training and military supplies to the rebels, with South African military assistance to Renamo continuing at least until two years ago.
• Hein's operation was eventually halted when the Malawian dictator's power crumbled, and the army took on the ruling party's paramilitary thugs, the Malawi Young Pioneers.

Statistics:

• The cargo plane, with the slogan "Pilots for Christ" on it, carried goods as often as once or twice a day, seven days a week.
• 100% of the flights carried by Hein were escorted by the police and special branch, according to the director of Blantyre's Chileka airport, Rex Nkhata.
• 100% of the cargo carried by Hein's plane was not inspected, according to Rex Nkhata.
• 100% of the flights by Hein's plane were flown under false flight plans, according to Rex Nkhata.
• The operation, led by Rodney Hein, lasted for six years, from 1987 to 1992.
• 100% of the goods carried by Hein's plane were destined for the Renamo rebels, according to the testimony of his wife, Ellie.

Sources:

• The Guardian, "Malawian Dictator's Fall Ends Military Supply Smuggling to Mozambique's Renamo Rebels", by Chris McGreal.
• US intelligence documents detailing continuing training and military supplies to the rebels.
• The testimony of Rodney Hein, the leader of the operation.