Suspeitas de que general zimbabweano foi morto

By Tichaona Sibanda
26 January 2012

The inquest into the death of retired General Solomon Mujuru ("Rex Nhongo") took a dramatic turn on Thursday when it was revealed that two firearms and a magazine of bullets were found next to his charred remains.

Police Chief Superintendent, Crispen Makedenge told the inquest in Harare that one of the weapons discovered was an AK 47 rifle. He did not disclose the details of the second weapon. Both guns were however badly burned from the fire that engulfed the house.

SW Radio Africa correspondent Simon Muchemwa said that on further inspection of the burned out house, Makedenge discovered 13 more weapons in a gun cabinet in the general’s bedroom. The inquest is being held before Harare Provincial Magistrate Walter Chikwanha.

Muchemwa said Makadenge’s brief testimony raised more questions than answers during his 10 minute appearance. The senior police officer will take to the witness stand on Friday to continue with his testimony before cross examination.

“We have information that either Makedenge or a ballistic weapons expert will testify that three spent bullet cartridges were also recovered near the general’s remains,” Muchemwa reported.

He added: “Questions are also being asked why those two guns were near the general and not in the gun cabinet. Was he protecting himself from some danger…is what people were asking after Makedenge’s testimony.”

Two witnesses have already told the inquest that they heard sound of gunfire moments before they were alerted to a fire that destroyed the former Zimbabwe National Army commander’s farmhouse.

Rosemary Short, a maid at the farmhouse and Clemence Runhare, a private guard at the property also told the inquest they heard gunshots before they rushed to the house to try and douse the fire.

Meanwhile, a ZESA employee testified on Thursday and ruled out an electrical fault as the cause of the fire.

Giving evidence during the inquest Douglas Chiredza Nyakungu, ZESA Consumer Services Officer for Beatrice area, said he noticed that there were two circuit breakers that had tripped on the Meter Circuit Board situated along the passage.

He however could not ascertain which breakers had tripped because the labels had been badly burnt.

“Circuit breakers distributing power to the geyser, water pump, tobacco barns and kitchen remained sound, ruling out fears that an electrical fault inside the house could have caused the fire,” Nyakungu said

He added that the circuit breakers could have tripped as a result of the socket outlets and lamp holders, which were badly burnt.