THE High Court has ordered an inquest into the death of Vice President Joice Mujuru’s husband, Rtd General Solomon Mujuru, after the case was referred by the police.
A police probe into Mujuru’s death in a blaze at his Beatrice farm on August 16 is complete, but the detectives’ findings will be put before a High Court judge who can call other witnesses before deciding whether a crime was committed.
Inquests are judge-led inquiries into causes and circumstances of death usually after an accident or injury; following an industrial disease; during a surgical operation; if the cause of death is unknown or if the death was sudden and unexplained or unnatural - for example, suicide.
The judge can order tests and examination of the body.
If the judge finds that Mujuru was murdered, he will direct the police to pursue his killer.
Inquests are unusual in Zimbabwe, but the police are sensitive to the unprecedented public interest in Mujuru’s death.
Chihuri refused to discuss the police findings, insisting that it was now up to the courts to rule on the matter.
"Just like any Zimbabwean, this is the normal procedure that has to be conducted and as of now I cannot say anything on the case," Chihuri said.
General Mujuru was alone at the farm when fire broke out just before midnight, spreading rapidly through the 18-room farmhouse.
His charred remains were recovered close to one of the doors when the fire was brought under control.
Police interviewed 23 people, including the three police officers who were guarding the perimeter.
Vice President Mujuru said last weekend she was anxious to hear from the police – but she must now be braced to attend marathon court hearings when the inquest gets underway.