Last hours of Mujuru’s life re-told by witnesses

By Robert Mukondiwa

The last hours and minutes of Retired General Solomon Mujuru’s life were retold exclusively to H-Metro yesterday, revealing a man who was in untold suffering at the dying embers of his gallant life.

The retired general’s remains were found mangled at the crime scene according to senior government officials, with his body severely contorted and charred, while his intestines and one blanket draped arm received secondary burns fighting off the effects of the terrible inferno.

He was found mangled at the final exit point to his 18-roomed Farmhouse at Alamein Farm as he no doubt obviously battled to exit the inferno. Some close aides are said to have attested to hearing explosions possibly caused by the explosion of bullets from the armoury in the farmhouse.

The family maid at the farm said she was only alerted of the fire by her brother who also lives in the vicinity and she called the POLICE creating a delay in reaching the fire department which should have been the first port of call no less. Close relatives told H-Metro yesterday that Ret. Gen Mujuru had already scheduled a planned trip to Beitbridge yesterday where he was said to have planned a cricket do with a couple of mates.

Because of that, he had been forced to cut short the drinks meeting at the Beatrice Hotel in order to retire early to bed. It was then that he took a twenty-three minute drive to his farm ahead of the terrible tragedy. Retired General Mujuru is said to have died after having spent an evening with the local villagers at a watering hole in Beatrice as had become his ‘custom’.

“He was here with us as usual buying us beers,” said an old drinking buddy from the village next to his farm. We had quite a day with him and he left the place at around 8 pm headed home and we bade him farewell,” he added. “There had not been any electricity for the whole day and electricity was only restored today (yesterday) after VaMujuru had died,” said Tinashe.

Villagers recounted his last moments at the pub and he was his old jovial self; a characteristic of him that they say they will miss sorely. “Who shall buy beer for us? He was always very approachable and would always buy us a round or so of drinks,” said a man who works at Matizamhuka’s farm. The villagers say when the retired General reached home in the dark he may have then obviously sought alternate sources of power.

“Of course we would be lying to say we know if mudhara had a generator or not or whether he tried using a candle or something but we can confirm for sure that Zesa powered electricity was not there at all,” they said. Forensic pathologists who arrived at the scene are expected to come up with answers regarding whether the retired General died of asphyxiation from the infernos’ smoke or whether he burnt to death. The prospect that he might have burnt to death would be devastating a find for his family.

The Retired General suffered fourth-degree burns which left the 62-year-old charred beyond recognition. The roof of the house caved in at the anger of the tongues of flames creating a literal fiery trap for the battling Retired General. Well into yesterday afternoon, Zesa trucks could be seen frequenting the farm and are speculated to have been investigating the cause of the inferno.

Many others were pondering how the Fire Brigade would arrive at the scene of the inferno WITHOUT WATER! However, not having water has since become a specialty for that part of emergency services.

“The man was generous and would even give us money whenever we were in times of troubles,” said the neighbour.

Robert Mukondiwa is the Deputy Editor of the state owned H Metro newspaper