On 30/31 July 1967 a large joint MK/ZIPRA detachment crossed the Zambezi River into Rhodesia. The intention of the MK contingent, known as the 'Luthuli Detachment', was to traverse Rhodesia on its western flank and then to infiltrate South Africa across the northern Transvaal. However the joint force was soon detected by the Rhodesian security forces and a series of pitched battles ensued in the Wankie and Sipolilo areas between 1967 and 1968. The joint commando fought well and the Rhodesians had to seek South African support to suppression of the incursion by the revolutionary armies.