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Zimbabwe Briefing Issue 39
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (SA Regional Office)
August 17, 2011

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Retired Army Commander General Mujuru is no more

We have received credible reports that Retired Army Commander - General Solomon Mujuru died on Monday night following an electrical fault fire at a farm house in Beatrice some 50kms south of Harare.

General Mujuru was husband to vice president Joyce Mujuru and was widely considered a kingmaker and power behind his wife in her battle for succession which pits her against Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa. General Mujuru's death, whether suspicious or otherwise, will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the succession debate in ZANU-PF where murmurings about Mugabe's retirement are gathering momentum. Initial reactions are that his death has greatly weakened his wife's faction, but it may well be that he may become more powerful after death - tipping scales of support in Joyce Mujuru's favour. General Mujuru a veteran of the liberation struggle, who is from Chikomba district, was viewed as a voice of reason within ZANU-PF who had close ties with business as well as perceived close ties with the MDC. Mujuru's death puts the spotlight on the role of the military in Zimbabwe's political and civilian affairs once more. During his tenure as army commander, Mujuru refrained from political interference although upon retirement he represented ZANU-PF in Parliament for Chikomba constituency. At the time of his death president Mugabe had not left Zimbabwe for Angola to attend the SADC Summit. It remains unclear whether Mugabe will cancel his trip to Angola to attend Mujuru's funeral which is most likely to be a state function with Mujuru being accorded national hero status to be buried with full military honours.

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