SubSaharan Africa 487
First, on September 24, 1974, a clash occurred on the Zambezi River after a South
African police boat was fired upon from the Zambian bank. In the second incident, a
South African police boat was fired on again on October 5, by Zambians at Kazangula
on the Zambezi River.
Coding changes: Fatalities changed from Missing.
MID#3005
Dispute Number: 3005
Date(s): August 23, 1978 to August 26, 1978
Participants: 560 South Africa/551 Zambia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: On August 23, 1978, South African troops raided Zambia from the Caprivi
Strip in Namibia, targeting the guerrillas of South West Africa People’s Organization
(SWAPO). The raid was a retaliation for SWAPO firing at the Caprivi Strip from
Zambia. Originally, South Africa had charged that Zambian forces were part of the
shelling that lasted two hours and was the most deadly battle in the guerrilla war thus
far; they later withdrew this charge against Zambia. The South African raid and fight-
ing continued until August 26, when South Africa claimed success.
Coding changes: Fatalities changed from None.
MID#2571
Dispute Number: 2571
Date(s): May 19, 1986
Participants: 560 South Africa/551 Zambia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: In the South African government’s effort to eradicate the threat of the
African National Congress from taking power and ending apartheid, the South African
military conducted several attacks on what appeared to be ANC headquarters through-
out the southern part of the continent. South African commandos raided the capitals
of Zimbabwe (MID#2570) and Botswana (MID#2580), and South Africa launched a
ground and air strike on the capital of Zambia (MID#2571). South Africa was target-
ing sites supposedly used by the African National Congress in the three countries.
In Zambia, South African jet fighters attacked a refugee center. In Zimbabwe, South
African commandos destroyed a house in Ashdown Park and blew up a building in
Harare. In Botswana, South African commandos arrived in helicopters, stormed a
village and attacked a fenced compound. The Botswana Defence Force fired on the
South African helicopters.
MID#2810
Dispute Number: 2810
Date(s): April 9, 1987 to April 25, 1987