The MPLA won control of the country and provided the gendarmes with relative autonomy in their area on the border with Zaire .
After the Portuguese departed in 1975 , the Katangan gendarmes fought with the MPLA in the Angolan Civil War .
The MPLA won control of the country and provided the gendarmes with relative autonomy in MPLA 's area on the border with Zaire .
After the Portuguese departed in 1975 , the Katangan gendarmes fought with the MPLA in the Angolan Civil War .