490 Chapter 4
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: Rhodesian forces crossed the border and raided Botswanan villages on
February 27, 1978. Rhodesia stated that they were pursuing guerrillas that had fled
into Botswana when their forces clashed with Botswanan units that were mistaken as
guerrillas. Three Botswanan vehicles were destroyed and 15 soldiers were killed in
the clash. On March 1, the Botswana government denounced the events and decided
to close the border at Kazungula.
Coding changes: End Date changed from March 1, 1978.
MID#3004
Dispute Number: 3004
Date(s): October 16, 1978 to August 8, 1979
Participants: 552 Zimbabwe/571 Botswana
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: On October 16, 1978, Rhodesian troops clashed with Bostwanan troops
when they crossed into Botswana territory following Zimbabwe African Peoples Union
rebels. Botswana and other African nations supported the guerrillas, and Botswana’s
territory was often used to train and infiltrate Rhodesia. On April 27, 1979, Rhodesian
forces demolished the ferry on the Zambezi River that linked Botswana and Rhodesia,
stating that it was being used to transport guerrillas and arms. Rhodesian forces also
raided the Botswanan capital, Francistown, and captured 14 ZAPU rebels. Clashes
continued into August 1979.
Coding changes: End Date changed from August 10, 1979. Fatalities changed from
Missing.
552 ZIMBABWE/580 MADAGASCAR
MID#1324
Started in October 1966. See the narrative in the 490 Democratic Republic of the
Congo/552 Zimbabwe dyad dispute list.
560 SOUTH AFRICA/570 LESOTHO
MID#3073
Dispute Number: 3073
Date(s): December 9, 1982 to March 26, 1983
Participants: 560 South Africa/570 Lesotho
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: South African forces attacked and killed 30 members of the African
National Congress in the capital of Lesotho on December 9, 1982. Civilians and four