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(NEWZIMBABWE) Solomon Mujuru: 1949-2011

Solomon Mujuru: 1949-2011
17/08/2011 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter

Soldier, freedom fighter, war hero, politician, farmer, miner, father – he answered to all of them. In the early hours of Tuesday, August 16, 2011, General Mujuru – husband of current Vice President Joice – was killed in a fire at his farm in Beatrice.

He was born Solomon Mutusva in Chivhu, then Charter District, on May 1, 1949, when Zimbabwe was still a British colony known then as Rhodesia. Gen Mujuru attended Kwenda and Rufaro Mission schools for his primary education and Zimuto Secondary School outside Masvingo.

While at school he took an interest to the early resistance to colonial rule, and was arrested for his political activism while doing Form 3.

In the early 1960s, he gave up his job to join the Zapu Youth League as the nationalist movement inched towards armed resistance. In 1966, Mujuru was imprisoned at Khami and on his release in 1968, he skipped the country into Botswana.

From Botswana, he travelled to Lusaka, Zambia, then used as a platform for the war effort by the liberation movements.

He was sent to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic, now Russia, for military training. He did further military training in Bulgaria, Egypt and Tanzania.

On his return to Africa, he headed for Mozambique which was hosting fighters from the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army.

In 1970, Mujuru volunteered to lead a group of 45 freedom fighters to cross into Zimbabwe from Mozambique's Tete province, becoming the first sectorial commander to lead a ZANLA force with the task of securing the north-east zone of Zimbabwe.
He adopted the nom de guerre, Rex Nhongo.

After 1975, Mujuru was in charge of all ZANLA forces outside Mozambique. A year later, he was appointed commander of the Zimbabwe People's Army (ZIPA) – a joint military force made up of ZANLA and Zimbabwe People’s Liberation Army (ZIPRA) fighters which was short-lived.

As part of the ZANLA top command, then led by Josiah Tongogara, Mujuru was a vital cog in military planning, supervision of deployment and movement of troops in Zimbabwe.

Just before Independence in 1980, he led the advance platoon that performed the highly sensitive role of preparing the arrival of the leadership of PF Zapu and Zanu PF as well as organising and managing assembly points for ZANLA and ZIPRA forces.

At Independence, the ZANLA Commander became instrumental in integrating the freedom fighters into the Zimbabwe National Army.

He was soon to take over leadership of the army as a lieutenant general in 1981.
After Independence, Mujuru remained resolute to the principles of the liberation struggle.

Famed for his acute sense of humour, he also had strong convictions and would not sway from what he believed was right. He was once detained by the police after he and a colleague refused to leave a restaurant at Meikles Hotel because they had not worn ties. The incident triggered a law change, so anyone could dine without a tie. “We nicknamed him Chimusoro [tough headed],” remembers Mines Minister Obert Mpofu.

As a natural successor to Tongagara, Mujuru was easily accepted by the comrades that made the bulk of the combined national army. Peace and stability were critical for the emerging nation.

He was promoted to full general in 1992 before retiring in August of the same year to go into business. But he remained in touch with the men and women whom he commanded.

As a civilian, Mujuru used some of his time to lobby the political classes to improve the welfare of war veterans, and accelerate the pace of land reforms.

In January 1995, Mujuru was sworn in as Member of Parliament for Chikomba. He relinquished his seat in 2000 but remained a member of the Zanu PF Central Committee and Politburo.

Apart from tobacco farming, he also partly-owned River Ranch diamond mines – earning himself and his wife a small personal fortune.

Although controversy sometimes stalked Mujuru in business and in politics, he maintained a stately silence that won him respect, reverence and even awe.

Within Zanu PF, he was considered a “kingmaker” – a belief by political commentators that his links with the military meant he had first say on who succeeded President Robert Mugabe.

He led a powerful faction within Zanu PF which was ranged against another led by Emmerson Mnangagwa, their ultimate pursuit the presidency. But despite widespread media coverage of their differences, both men steered clear of engaging each other publicly.

Mujuru had several accolades, including an honorary law degree; an appointment as a Grand Commander of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit, and medals for Ten Years of Exemplary Service; the Long Service Exemplary Award; and Lifetime Award in Defence of Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

"He is one of the greatest among our people and his name will remain ever indelible. We can never forget what he has done,” said President Robert Mugabe.

[Additional reporting Isdore Guvamombe, Fortious Nhambura and Tichaona Zindoga, Herald]

Labels: EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, NATIONAL HEROES ACRE (ZIMBABWE)

posted by MrK @ 6:21 PM