Zimbabwe's ruling party shrouded in suspicion after ex-military chief dies

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Source: The Guardian

One of the most powerful men in Zimbabwe has been killed in a fire at his home, triggering rumours of a conspiracy in the battle to succeed the president, Robert Mugabe.

Former military chief Solomon Mujuru, 62, was "burnt beyond recognition" in the blaze at his farm about 35 miles south-west of Harare in the early hours of Tuesday morning, police said.

Under his nom de guerre, Rex Nhongo, Mujuru was a leader of the guerrilla war that swept Mugabe to power and became Zimbabwe's first black military commander after independence. The general was married to Joice Mujuru, vice-president of Zimbabwe and leader of a moderate faction in Mugabe's Zanu-PF party.

Analysts said his death will shake Zimbabwe's political kaleidoscope and rock Zanu-PF, where Joice Mujuru and other rivals are jostling for position as 87-year-old Mugabe's heir apparent. This in turn could destabilise the party's power-sharing agreement with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/16/zimbabwe-party-military-chief-dies