Dumisani Muleya

Business Day 

ZIMBABWE’s most decorated army general and political kingmaker Solomon Mujuru’s death in a blaze at his farm yesterday will have far- reaching consequences for the country’s political landscape.

It will fuel the already vicious power struggle within the faction- ridden Zanu (PF), which President Robert Mugabe is struggling to hold together.

The retired Gen Mujuru was married to Vice-President Joice Mujuru, although the two were not living together.

Ms Mujuru, accompanied by Zanu (PF) ministers and top government officials, yesterday visited the farm, 60km south of Harare. There were dramatic scenes as ministers wept loudly.

State Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi confirmed Gen Mujuru’s death . "It is hard to believe, but he is no more. We came here ( to the farm ) early in the morning initially thinking he was just badly burnt, only to find his charred body. He was burnt beyond recognition," Mr Sekeramayi said, weeping bitterly.

Pathologists are examining Gen Mujuru’s remains and police are investigating the cause of the fire.

Gen Mujuru’s Zanu (PF) allies were fuming yesterday, alleging that their leader was "murdered".

"We are shocked and dismayed, but to us he was killed in cold blood," a senior politburo official said.

Another official said: "This is murder most foul.

"It’s clear he was assassinated like Chitepo and Tongogara."

Herbert Chitepo, a Zanu (PF) leader, was assassinated in Zambia in 1975, and Josiah Tongogara, Mr Mugabe’s military commander during the liberation war, died in a mysterious accident in 1979.

Gen Mujuru’s servant Rosemary Shoti said he had arrived at the farm at about 8pm on Monday evening . They "were awakened around 3am by the sounding of exploding asbestos and we came out to investigate, only to find the house on fire".

"We tried to extinguish the fire using water buckets but we failed. We eventually called the police but when they arrived it was too late."

National Constitutional Assembly leader Lovemore Madhuku said yesterday Gen Mujuru’s "suspicious death" had to be thoroughly probed. "We call for an independent and thorough investigation into events surrounding the suspicious death of Mujuru."

Mr Mugabe was expected to visit the Mujuru family at their home in the posh Chisipite suburb in Harare yesterday afternoon.

Ms Mujuru and her fierce rival, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who heads another Zanu (PF) faction, and Mr Sekeremayi are widely touted as frontrunners in the party’s succession race.

Recently, Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander Gen Constantine Chiwenga also emerged as one of the contestants — joining a long list which includes the central bank governor Gideon Gono and politburo member Saviour Kasukuwere.

Gen Chiwenga is said to be heading a new, third military- based faction straddling Zanu (PF) and state structures .

Whoever succeeds Mr Mugabe will have to square off in elections against Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai . Armed forces commanders have said they will block Mr Tsvangirai from becoming president — even if he wins.

Zimbabwe’s next election is said to top the agenda of the Southern African Development Community summit in Luanda, Angola, which starts today.

http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=150820

Print      Send to a friend