Fire brigade arrived at burning Mujuru farm without water

Former Zimbabwe National Army Commander Retired General Solomon Mujuru has died. He was 62. Mujuru who was a member of the Zanu PF Politburo, died in a suspected fire outbreak at his farm in Beatrice early yesterday.

He was alone at the farm with the maid who stays in separate quarters away from the main farm house when the incident happened. The house has 18 rooms and was severely damaged. Nothing was recovered save for sofas. The maid, who received a message about the fire, reported the case to the police around 3 am.

Police rushed to the farm and on arrival found the house already engulfed by the inferno. Police looked for Cde Mujuru in the house but could not locate him. His body was burnt beyond recognition. Police and pathologists removed his body from the house at around 11 am.

Reports say the Fire Brigade arrived at the farm without water and had to fetch it in surrounding areas. A sombre atmosphere engulfed the farm. Senior Government officials including his wife Vice President Joice Mujuru and other family members were present at the farm.

Also present were Co-Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi, State Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu, Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Perrance Shiri, Director General of the Central Intelligence Organisation Retired Major General Happyton Bonyongwe, Zanu PF national spokesperson Rugare Gumbo, Zanu PF Mashonaland East provincial chairman Ray Kaukonde among others.

Said Sekeremayi: “It is hard to believe he is no more. We came here early in the morning and I initially thought he was badly burnt, only to see charred remains on arrival. One of Zimbabwe’s greatest sons is no more.”

Kaukonde described Mujuru’s death as a great loss to Mashonaland East province. “It’s a tragedy for us in the province. We have lost our man and a pillar in the province. He tried to guide us a lot,” said Kaukonde. Shamu said Mujuru was a military strategist and commander par excellence.

“Cde Rex Nhongo’s name was synonymous with the liberation struggle. This is a tragedy which is difficult to fathom. His name is synonymous with the history of the whole liberation struggle. We have lost a military commander and a strategist par excellence. He was a very brave fighter and illustrious son of the soil.”

Gumbo said: “We have lost a resolute, gallant and committed cadre who contributed innocuously to the liberation struggle and to the economy of Zimbabwe. He was a farmer and businessman. “This loss is not only to the Mujuru family but also to the party and nation as a whole. We will miss his contribution in the Politburo.” The Herald