THE late ZANLA commander Rt General Solomon Mujuru was declared a national hero on Wednesday as his widow, Vice President Joice Mujuru appealed for calm.
General Mujuru, 62, was killed in a house fire at the couple’s Beatrice farm in the early hours of Tuesday – sparking frenzied speculation over his death.
On Tuesday, hundreds of Zanu PF youths marched to Mujuru’s home in Chisipite demanding answers over the former army commander’s demise.
Jim Kunaka, the Harare leader of Zanu PF’s youth wing said: “As youths we want to get to the bottom of it and find out whether it was a normal death; an electrical fault or whether it was the work of enemies.”
Zanu PF’s internal power struggles have also given much cause to speculation. Mujuru was a sworn enemy of a rival faction led by Emmerson Mnangagwa which has in its ranks the powerful former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo.
Moyo was among mourners at the Mujuru home on Wednesday, along with the United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray.
Mnangagwa and his key ally Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa have been in Angola since Sunday preparing for the SADC heads oif state summit which was set to conclude on Thursday.
Mujuru, Acting President in Robert Mugabe’s absence, told mourners: “I appeal to you to avoid too much history, and talking bad things and listen to good things.
“We agreed with Solomon every time that even if we hear anything coming from anywhere, we won’t comment whether it’s a lie or not. Only one person [God] will comment, good or bad.”
The fire incinerated everything inside the 18-roomed farm house save for some sofas – despite police officers and guards from a private security firm keeping sentry at two gated exits to the property.
Police investigators say the security staff's view of the main house would have been impeded by tobacco barns.
The first alarm was raised around 3AM on Tuesday after the Mujurus’ maid heard exploding asbestos and went to investigate. The Fire Brigade was called but arrived without water.
After the fire was finally put under control, investigators found General Mujuru’s remains close to a door – a heap of bones and ashes.
Forensic experts and investigators from several state security arms were still on the farm on Wednesday trying to establish the cause of the blaze.
Police spokesman Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena said investigators’ attention had been drawn to candles used during a power cut at the property.
"So far, initial investigations reveal that the fire could have been caused by a candle lit by a domestic servant when lights went out. That position is not conclusive as we are still carrying out more investigations,” Bvudzijena told reporters.
Following the conferment of hero status on Wednesday, it was announced General Mujuru would be buried at the National Heroes Acre on Saturday.
His remains will be flown by an Air Force helicopter to his rural home in Chikomba, Mashonaland East, on Thursday where thousands are expected to pay their last respects.
From Sadza his remains will be transported to the provincial town of Marondera before being returned to Harare to lie in state at his Chisipite residence ahead of burial.