In a message he read to mourners at the packed National Heroes Acre, President Robert Mugabe paid tribute to him as "one of the greatest Zimbabweans". His funeral attracted political leaders across the political divide, including Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai who has previously boycotted State funerals saying the national shrine has been reduced to a Zanu PF monument. .
Mujuru directed the guerilla forces of Zanu's armed wing ZANLA and was Zimbabwe's first black head of the integrated Zimbabwe National Army, who brought Mugabe to be the leader of Zanu during the armed struggle.
He was called Zimbabwe's "kingmaker."
He died on Tuesday in a mysterious fire at the age of 62. It is feared he was assassinated.
President Mugabe called him a "national hero" who had mentored many young guerilla recruits and the future of Zimbabwe's political and business leaders.
He was buried at an official funeral with full military honours.
Senior generals carried Mujuru's coffin into the National Heroes Acre, a monument for fallen heroes of the 70s struggle against minority white rule.
Delivering the eulogy, Mugabe said an era has ended and the nation is devastated at his mysterious death but said Zimbabwe was proud to be associated with General Mujuru and his unifying influence.
President Mugabe said Mujuru was a legend and "the cruel fire will not consume his role and fame as a fighter of fighters."
"Rex is a legend. He was a great fighter, fighter of fighters, a freedom fighter, a commander who behaved like a mere soldier and shared risks with his fellow soldiers," Mugabe said.
Mujuru became Zimbabwe National Army Commander in 1981 and was promoted to full General in 1992.
In 1992, General Mujuru quit the military service to go into business.
He was sworn in as Member of Parliament for Chikomba Constituency in
1994 and relinquished his post in 2000 but remained a member of the Zanu-PF Central Committee and Politburo.
He is survived by his wife, Zimbabwe Vice President Joice Mujuru and four children.
Post published in: News