David Chingunji

Who was David Chingunji?

David "Samwimbila" Chingunji served as a top commander in UNITA, pro-Western rebels, in the Angolan Civil War.

Chingunji died when UNITA forces tried to ambush Portuguese forces in 1970. Some said UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi, fearing a competitor for control of UNITA, ordered Chingunji's assassination, alleging Chingunji had opposed the planned ambush but Savimbi insisted. Some witnesses say non-Portuguese killers shot Chingunji in the back. He had trained in the People's Republic of China and the Chinese government openly named him as a possible successor to Savimbi. All of his brothers, with the exception of Dinho, died in mysterious circumstances.