Reports that he had company have been rubbished.He was alone at the farm with the maid who stays in separate quarters away from the main farm house when the incident happened.
The house has 18 rooms and was severely damaged.Nothing was recovered save for sofas.
NewsDay witnessed police removing his charred remains from the dining room of the gutted house at Alamein Farm in Beatrice, south of Harare, in a heart-rending moment.
His body was found close to the door, meaning that he could have been fighting to get out.Police put what remained of his body into a plastic bag.
The late General’s wife Vice President Joice Mujuru, could only say: «Zvakaoma mwanangu zvaiitika pano.
Zviri mumba umu hazvitarisiki.Mwari ega ndivo vanoziva (What has happened here is difficult to fathom.What is in there is unbelievable.Only God Knows).»
While police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena was unavailable for comment, his subordinate Oliver Mandipaka declined to comment.
But a source at the scene said the fire was so intense that it could only have been caused by either fuel or an electrical fault.The source added serious foul play was suspected.
A maid at the farm, Rosemary Shoti, said Mujuru arrived at the farm around 8pm last night and asked for kitchen keys which she gave him.
«We were awakened at around 3am by the sound of exploding asbestos sheets and I came out to investigate only to find the house engulfed in fire.
«We tried to put it out using buckets of water from a bowser together with his security personnel, but to no avail.After failing to put out the fire we then phoned Beatrice Police Station and the Fire Brigade, but when they arrived, it was too late,» Shoti said.
Police and pathologists removed his remains from the house at around 11 am.
Reports say the Fire Brigade arrived at the farm without water and had to fetch it in surrounding areas.
A sombre atmosphere engulfed the farm.
Senior Government officials including his wife Vice President Joice Mujuru and other family members were present at the farm.
Also present were CoHome Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi, State Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu, Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Perrance Shiri, Director General of the Central
Intelligence Organisation Retired Major General Happyton Bonyongwe, ZanuPF national spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo, ZanuPF Mashonaland East provincial chairman Cde Ray Kaukonde among others.
Said Cde Sekeremayi: «It is hard to believe he is no more.We came here early in the morning and I initially thought he was badly burnt, only to see charred remains on arrival.One of Zimbabwe’s greatest sons is no more.»
Cde Kaukonde described Cde Mujuru’s death as a great loss to Mashonaland East province.
«It’s a tragedy for us in the province.We have lost our man and a pillar in the province.He tried to guide us a lot,» said Cde Kaukonde.
Cde Shamu said Cde Mujuru was a military strategist and commander par excellence.
«Cde Rex Nhongo’s name was synonymous with the liberation struggle.
«This is a tragedy which is difficult to fathom.His name is synonymous with the history of the wh*le liberation struggle.We have lost a military commander and a strategist par excellence.He was a very brave fighter and illustrious son of the soil.»
Cde Gumbo said: «We have lost a resolute, gallant and committed cadre who contributed innocuously to the liberation struggle and to the economy of Zimbabwe.He was a farmer and businessman.
«This loss is not only to the Mujuru family but also to the party and nation as a wh*le.We will miss his contribution in the Politburo.»В Herald
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