Zimbabwean commandos swim Atlantic for 3 hours after training exercise goes wrong

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Five Zimbabwean commandoes swam the shark-infested Atlantic Ocean off the Namibian coast for more than three hours to save their lives after a training exercise went horribly wrong.

According to the latest ZNA magazine, the five soldiers were part of a SADC Special Forces training exercise in October 2013 who had to resort to their bravery and endurance to survive after their boats capsized during a sea-borne exercise.

After the mishap, 21 members of the team had to swim for three-and-a-half hours to shore. A Malawian soldier died after being hit on the head by propellers while two South Africans were “reported missing in action.

The five Zimbabweans  – corporals Manunure Frequency, Mapfumo Samuel and Mutemera Shadreck of 1 Commando Regiment and lance corporals Jakarasi Obey and Mukandiona Justice of Parachute Regiment – have now been promoted by a rank each.

Army Commander, Lieutenant-General Phillip Valerio Sibanda, recommended their elevation to reward them for “enduring difficult conditions in the ocean to survive disaster.”