The Selous Scouts established a forward operational base, often referred to as Chiredzi Fort, at Chiredzi in southeastern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) during the Rhodesian Bush War. This base was strategically important for several reasons:
Chiredzi is situated in the southeastern lowveld, a region that was a deeply contested terrain and a key area for infiltration by ZANLA guerrillas from neighboring Mozambique. The “fort” served as a forward deployment base for the Selous Scouts’ controversial but effective “pseudo-operations,” which involved operating in civilian clothes or captured enemy uniforms to infiltrate and disrupt guerrilla movements.
A Joint Operational Command (JOC) was established at Chiredzi in January 1976, coordinating various Rhodesian Security Forces (RSF) activities in the region, including “Hunter/Killer” operations. Infrastructure: The base included accommodation for personnel and their families and facilitated security efforts in the area. The Scouts constructed prefabricated corrugated iron ‘forts’ at many of their forward operating locations to facilitate security.