Police in Zimbabwe say they have launched a full-scale investigations into the cause of the fire that killed former Zimbabwe National Army Commander Retired General Solomon Mujuru (66) yesterday morning.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire could have been caused by a candle left burning in the house. Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena yesterday said joint investigations by security and other organisations including the force’s forensic unit and Zesa Holdings were underway.
“So far, initial investigations reveal that the fire could have been caused by a candle lit by a domestic servant when lights went out. That position is not conclusive as we are still carrying out more investigations,” he said. The Zanu-PF Politburo member was alone at his Alamein Farmhouse, 60km south of Harare when tragedy struck.
His maid, who stays in separate quarters away from the main house, was among the first people to be alerted of the fire. The 18-roomed house was extensively damaged. Nothing was recovered save for sofas and few other items. The maid said she was alerted by her brother who lives in the area whereupon she informed other workers and later phoned Beatrice Police at around 3am.
Police rushed to the farm and on arrival found the house engulfed by the inferno. Police looked for Gen Mujuru in the house, but to no avail. His remains were later discovered in one of the lounges burnt beyond recognition. Police and pathologists removed the remains at around 11am.
Patrons at Beatrice Motel, where Gen Mujuru was last seen having drinks on Monday, said he left the motel at 7:30pm saying he was going to prepare for a journey to Beitbridge on the morrow. His farm is approximately a 20-minute drive from the motel. The farm has two entry points, which are guarded by the Zimbabwe Republic Police and a private security firm.
The house is partially obscured by tobacco barns from the two guardrooms. The guards reportedly only realised there was fire after hearing noise from the collapsing roof. There was no power in the Beatrice on Monday from 7pm to 9pm. Police from the CID and forensic units and Zesa Holdings officials had last night cordoned off the farmhouse for further investigations.
The death of Cde Mujuru proved a big test for the Harare Fire Brigade amid reports that the city dispatched fire tenders that did not have water. Sources in the fire department, however, pointed out that even if the fire tenders had carried water from Harare, it would not have been enough to extinguish the inferno.
They said water sourced from a nearby dam was used to save part of the house. Late yesterday afternoon, town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi said he was not aware of the reports, adding he was still to receive a briefing on the fire. A sombre atmosphere engulfed the farm yesterday as workers and relatives battled to come to terms with the tragedy.
Senior Government officials, including his widow Vice President Joice Mujuru and other family members, rushed to the farm in the morning when alerted of the incident.
State Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi described the death of Gen Mujuru as a sad loss to the nation. “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.”
