'Air Force commander poisoned'

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By Staff Reporter

ONE of President Robert Mugabe's top military commanders was battling for his life in a Harare hospital this week after going down with suspected poisoning.

Air Vice Marshal Elson Moyo, one of three deputies to the Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander, Perence Shiri, was being treated for the mystery poison at the West End Clinic, military officials said.

Moyo, a relative of former Social Welfare Minister July Moyo, was said to have a "50-50 survival chance" by close friends.

"They (military) are not allowing people to talk to him," said a family friend. "He was hospitalised in a very critical condition."

Later Friday, military sources said he was "out of danger", and had spoken to doctors who confirmed the poisoning fears. There was no confirmation of the poison involved.

"He says he was poisoned over the weekend but has no idea where exactly," one source said.

Moyo was promoted in November 2003 by President Robert Mugabe from his previous post of Air Commodore. He serves alongside two other deputies to Shiri -- Air Vice-Marshals Henry Muchena and Titus AbuBasuthu.

Sources revealed that Moyo recently clashed with Shiri and other senior military officials after approving a 60 percent pay hike for the Air Force, when the government was only prepared to make a 20 percent salary adjustment across the board.

The clashes are said to mirror the factional fights within Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu PF party, with Moyo said to be leaning towards a faction led by Emerson Mnangagwa, which is also backed by his relative, July Moyo.

The Mnangagwa faction is ranged against another faction led by Vice President Joice Mujuru. Analysts say in the race to succeed President Mugabe, the faction that has the backing of the armed forces will likely carry the day.

Indiscipline has set in among Zimbabwe's armed forces, fuelled by poor pay and frustration among younger troops angry at recent moves to only promote soldiers aged 35 years or more.

Hundreds of soldiers have resigned in recent months, many preferring to skip the border for South Africa where they seek work as security guards.

Army officials declined to comment. The West End Clinic said it did not discuss its patients.

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