Solomon Mujuru
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Solomon Mujuru, also known as Rex Nhongo, is from the Zezuru clan, and was the leader of Robert Mugabe's guerrilla forces during the independence war. In post-independence Zimbabwe, he went on to become army chief before leaving government service in 1995. Mujuru is the former MP for Chikomba. He is generally regarded as one of the most feared men in Zimbabwe. His wife, Joyce Mujuru, is the Vice President and a former Water Affairs Minister in the Zimbabwe Cabinet. Mujuru and his wife are among the ZANU-PF party members subject to personal sanctions imposed by the United States.
Mujuru, with the late Josiah Tongogara, led the ZANLA forces when Mugabe languished in jail for 10 years from 1964 to 1974. Mugabe had slipped into Mozambique after his release from jail with the active support of Mujuru, who implored guerrillas, most of whom had never met Mugabe, to accept him as their leader.
- "As a result Mugabe owes (Solomon) Mujuru an eternal favour," said one Zanu-PF insider.
General Mujuru took over the command of the army at independence in 1980, retiring 10 years later to go into business. Popular speculation is that he owns anywhere between six and sixteen farms. However, he remained an influential member of the ruling ZANU-PF politburo and central committees.
In the mid-1990s, Mujuru clashed with Emmerson Mnangagwa, long considered Mugabe's favoured heir, when Solomon bid to buy into the multibillion-dollar Zimasco, a chrome mining and smelting concern in Zimbabwe's Midlands Province.
In 1998, Mujuru became the subject of the first legal action against any member of Mr Mugabe's inner circle implicated in the illegal seizure of land and assets. His seizure of Alamein Farm was ruled illegal by the Zimbabwean Supreme Court.
