(TALKZIMBABWE) No foul play in Mujuru death: Inquest concludes

No foul play in Mujuru death: Inquest concludes
Posted by By Our reporter at 29 March, at 11 : 24 AM

THERE was no foul play in the death of Retired General Solomon Mujuru, an inquest into the tragedy has concluded. Gen Mujuru died in an inferno at his Beatrice farmhouse in August last year. He was the husband to Zimbabwe’s vice president, Joice Mujuru (pictured)

The Attorney-General Mr Johannes Tomana has since instructed the police to treat the Mujuru death docket as “a closed and completed matter”. The AG’s office is the only office in Zimbabwe empowered to use its discretion on whether or not to agree with a magistrate’s findings in any inquest.

In an exclusive interview with The Herald yesterday, Mr Tomana said Gen Mujuru’s case was closed.

“I have read the record of proceedings and verdict of the presiding magistrate Mr Walter Chikwanha and I find the verdict to be well reasoned and sound both in law and fact.

“I agree with the conclusion of the inquest, which finds that no foul play suspicion is sustained. In my capacity as the AG, I have accordingly recommended to the police that the docket be closed as a completed matter.”

Harare magistrate Mr Chikwanha’s findings are despite suspicion and speculation in some sections of the media and society, including Gen Mujuru’s relatives, that the General was killed.

Reads part of Mr Chikwanha’s findings contained in the inquest verdict: “Despite the suppositions, speculations, conjectures and suspicions by various people including the deceased’s relatives, nothing concrete and no evidence at all was placed before the court to show that there was foul play in the death of the deceased.”

Also in his findings, the magistrate said there was evidence from the doctor that the deceased did not suffer any other injuries besides those caused by the fire.

His findings dismissed suspicion in some quarters that the person burnt beyond recognition at the Beatrice farmhouse and later buried at the National Heroes Acre is not Gen Mujuru.

The Mujuru family was demanding the exhumation of the remains of Gen Mujuru for further forensic tests.

Mr Tomana yesterday gave The Herald the right to publish the inquest findings.

“I hereby, in my capacity as an authorised Government official holding official documents grant you the right to publish the findings of the inquest held in the case of the late Retired General Solomon Mujuru,” said Mr Tomana.

The AG said he was doing so in the public interest.