Former Zimbabwean army chief dies in farm fire

Former Zimbabwean army chief dies in farm fire

2011-08-17 02:51:20 GMT+7 (ICT)

HARARE (BNO NEWS) -- Zimbabwe's retired general Solomon Mujuru died in a fire at his farm in Beatrice on Monday evening, near the country's capital Harare, local media reported on Tuesday.

State security minister Sydney Sekeramai confirmed the death and told the state-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) that Mujuru had died in a fire which broke out at his farm in Beatrice, 56 kilometers (35 miles) from Harare.

Police forensic investigators were said to be investigating the cause of the fire which engulfed the entire farmhouse, causing the roof to collapse and trapping Mujuru. Police further said his body, which was burnt beyond recognition, had been taken to an army hospital for more pathological tests.

Joice Mujuru, the first of Zimbabwe's two vice-presidents since 2004, was away in Brazil on official business at the time of her husband’s death.

Solomon Mujuru, also known for his war name Rex Nhongo, was a key figure as operations chief in Robert Mugabe's guerrilla forces during the 1970s war of independence, which accomplished to topple a white minority and establish a black majority rule.

In post-independence Zimbabwe, Mujuru went on to become army chief before leaving government service in 1995 when he got into politics, becoming a senior member of the inner politburo cabinet of President Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party.

Mujuru is expected to be buried at the national shrine, Heroes Acre, with full military and State honors sometime this week. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

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