In a fatal inferno that reduced him to ashes, Mujuru did what no other figure in Zimbabwe in recent years has been able to do – unite the deeply polarized nation.
From liberation heroes such as Dumiso Dabengwa of ZAPU, who described his death as a loss to the nation, to the Rutendos in Chikomba, Zimbabweans reeled at the loss of a man who many described as very humble.
Simba Makoni, who pulled out of Zanu (PF) in 2008 amid speculation that the late General would follow him into his Mavambo Project, said, “General Mujuru had time for everyone, and made everyone he met feel special. He fitted with all. It may sound contradictory that while he was very loyal to his party, he was also truly above politics when it came to national interests and national welfare.”
That explains why Mujuru was mourned by people of all political parties in the country. He had time for them – even when everyone in Zanu (PF) was attacking them as “puppets of the west”.
An enigma
For the public, Mujuru was an enigma He never commented or spoke to the media. People only knew him through what was said about him by journalists and third parties.
Historically, they knew him as the great liberator who they thought – as kingmaker – would eventually have the final say on who would succeed the aging President Robert Mugabe.
Social network users declared, even before the Politburo could meet, that the late Rex Nhongo was a hero.
“General Solomon Mujuru, I salute you! They have Nelson's Column in London's Trafalgar Square, we should have our own Tongo and Rex monuments in our most prominent spaces – these are our heroes,” posted one Facebook user.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said in a statement that Mujuru is one of the undisputed heroes of the struggle.
“It is indeed tragic that we have lost a patriot who served his country with honour and distinction,” said Tsvangirai.
Tsvangirai’s spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said, “Unlike the current pretenders, General Mujuru never usurped the functions of the civilian administration in running civilian affairs of this country. He never threatened any political party or person and always respected the freedom of the people of Zimbabwe to choose their leadership through the modicum of free and fair elections.”
Inquest
The sad manner of his death has led the media and ordinary Zimbabweans to ask for an inquest that will establish how he died so tragically after having survived bullets and assassination attempts during the protracted war of independence.
US ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray also paid his condolences to Mujuru “My sincere condolences to the family. I met him (Mujuru) once and I appreciate the great work that he did for this country.”
Dabengwa, the leader of ZAPU, said that he hoped there as no foul play in the death of his friend who in 1976 was a co-leader of the short-lived Zimbabwe People’s Army (ZIPA) along with Nikita Mangena of ZIPRA.
“Let us hope there is no foul play in his death and if there is, it will complicate our politics, he was the only person who could challenge anyone in this country. He would speak his mind,” said Dabengwa.
Job Sikhala said that the late general, who was the commander of the defense forces during Gukurahund,i should have lived at least long enough to give his version of the story.
“It is unfortunate that he has passed on without giving Zimbabweans an opportunity to hear his side of the story over the Gukurahundi massacres, one of the darkest spots remaining on the conscience of our nation since attainment of independence,” said Sikhala, who also described the general as a military genius.
Matebeleland secessionist group Mtwakazi who thrives on controversy has been rather silent on the death of Mujuru.
Welshman Ncube the leader of the smaller MDC formation, said, “Solomon Mujuru was an exemplary Army General of his time who was always measured and careful in his pronouncements. His death is a great loss not only to the Mujuru family and Zanu (PF) but to the nation at large. The nation is poorer without his contribution in national politics and economic development.”
President Robert Mugabe owes his presidency today to Mujuru after having been catapulted to the helm by later in a bloodless coup that toppled Ndabaningi Sithole in the 70s.
Tributes to Mujuru
‘We have lost a patriot who served his country with honour and distinction’ – Morgan Tsvangirai.
‘He was truly above politics’ – Simba Makoni
‘He never usurped the functions of the civilian administration’ – Douglas Mwonzora
‘The nation is poorer without his contribution’ – Welshman Ncube
‘I appreciate the great work that he did for this country’ – Charles Ray
‘He was the only person who could challenge anyone’ – Dumiso Dabengwa
‘A pity we could not hear his account of Gukurahundi’ – Job Sikhala
Post published in: News