Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Rhodesia Police Decoration for Gallantry (P.D.G.) group of four awarded to Constable D. Mnkandla, Zimbabwe Republic Police, late Police Reserve and British South Africa Police (Support Unit)

Zimbabwe Independence Medal (40820); Zimbabwe Service Medal (26368 Cst. Mnkandla); Rhodesia Police Decoration for Gallantry (A.F.R. Mnkandhla D.), this stamped ‘(R)’ for official replacement issue and with officially re-impressed naming; Rhodesia General Service Medal (26368 Cst. D. Mnkandla), good very fine or better (4) £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Keith Holshausen Collection.

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One of only 24 Rhodesia Police Decorations for Gallantry awarded in the Bush War years.

Rhodesia Police Decoration for Gallantry (P.D.G.) Rhodesia Government Notice No. 590/78 and Police Reserve Force Orders 184/78 state:

‘During the early hours of the 12 November 1977, a Police team carried out a raid on a kraal in the operational area following information of a suspected terrorist presence. As members of the team approached a hut in the kraal, they were subjected to small arms fire from within, which resulted in one member of the team sustaining a leg wound which rendered him immobile. Members of the team withdrew to a position some distance away and returned fire. Constable Mnkandla had remained near the injured man and realising that he was in danger of being hit further, removed him to a position of safety. In doing so, he exposed himself to very real danger of being hit by crossfire for a protracted period of time. Constable Mnkandla in acting as he did, showed a very high degree of personal courage with complete disregard for his own safety. By removing the injured man, Constable Mnkandla most certainly saved him from further injury and possible death.’

Daniel Mnkandla, was from the Nyamandhlovu area of Matabeleland, was decorated for the above described “contact” which took place near Filabusi, Matabeleland, while serving in the African Police Reserve and Police Anti-Terrorist Unit (P.A.T.U.).

Mnkandla, who was subsequently appointed to the British South Africa Police Support Unit, effective from April 1978, and trained as a Tracker, received his decoration from the Chief Justice of Rhodesia, The Honourable Mr. Justice H. N. MacDonald, at an investiture held at the B.S.A.P. Police Support Unit Tomlinson Depot, Salisbury, in October, 1978; sold with a file of research.