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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 1198

The Rhodesian General Service Medal awarded posthumously to Corporal O. Mabaleka, Selous Scouts, the recipient of a Bronze Cross of Rhodesia, he was tragically killed in action on 2 October 1978

Rhodesia, General Service Medal (644764 Cpl O. Mabaleka (POSTHUMOUS)), good very fine

Bronze Cross of Rhodesia 18 April 1978.

An online source gives further detail on his life and tragic death:

'Like many Selous Scout operators, Mabeleka conducted what the Rhodesian military establishment referred to as "pseudo ops". These clandestine operations infiltrating terrorist bases, gathering intelligence, and conducting some "hands on" reconnaissance. The mostly native African unit of operators were the best in their field, and the racially integrated conducted pseudo ops with brutal efficiency.

It was one such pseudo op, where Mabeleka infiltrated a group of 30 heavily armed terrorists, and convinced the unwitting fighters to walk into a Rhodesian patrol. In the chaos of the contact, he and a much smaller force quickly killed 10 of the enemy, and routed the rest. On 2 March 1978, he was officially recognized for his leadership in this skirmish with the Bronze Cross of Rhodesia, and photographed.

After being awarded the medal, he went right back into the field to conduct pseudo ops, with fellow Selous Scout and newly promoted 645142 Lance Corporal Lovemore Murase. Disguised as terrorists on a "pseudo op" they happened upon a police patrol made up of BSAP Police Anti-Terrorism Unit members and local farmers near Hartley. Given the nature of their clandestine work, and the sometimes fragmented nature of the Rhodesian intelligence establishment, no prior notice was given to the police patrol that Selous Scouts were operating in the area. The two men were fired upon and killed instantly on 2 October 1978 in this tragic friendly fire incident, mere months after Mabaleka had been awarded his BCR.

Mabaleka was 26, and Murase was 25, and perhaps got too good at their jobs. The two young Selous Scouts operators are buried together at Harare (formerly Warren Hills) Cemetery, along with many other casualties of the Rhodesian Bush War. Their incredible stories of service during the Rhodesian Bush War are not uncommon, and stand as a testament to the African fighting man.'

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Sold for
£480

Starting price
£60