Solomon Mujuru

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Solomon Mujuru
Solomon Mujuru
Nationality Flag of Zimbabwe Zimbabwean
Political party ZANU-PF
Residence Zimbabwe
Occupation Politician, Businessman

Solomon Mujuru, also known as Rex Nhongo, led Robert Mugabe's guerrilla forces during the independence war. He is from the Zezuru clan. 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.

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[edit] Liberation Struggle

Mujuru, with the late Josiah Tongogara, led the ZANLA forces when Mugabe languished in jail for 10 years from 1964 to 1974. Robert Mugabe and Edgar Tekere with the help of chief Rekayi Tangwena their medium,had slipped into Mozambique after their immediate 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.[1]

[edit] Post-Independence

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, including Alamein farm, a productive and high-value operation illegally requisitioned as part of a "landgrab" from Guy Watson-Smith in 2001, as found by the Zimbabwe High Court and international courts. 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 multi-billion dollar Zimasco, a chrome mining and smelting concern in Zimbabwe's Midlands Province.

In 2001 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.

Mujuru and his wife are among the ZANU-PF party members subject to personal sanctions imposed by the United States.

[edit] Kingmaker

According to newspaper reports Mujuru has been under house arrest and 24-hour surveillance since November 2007 for his role in attempting to oust Mugabe.[2] [3] It is generally thought that Mujuru has a tremendous amount of influence on who leads ZANU-PF and the country. Currently there is media speculation that he is backing Simba Makoni. Makoni is a candidate in the March 2008 presidential election.

[edit] References

  1. ^ "It is universally accepted in Zanu-PF that without Solomon's active support, Mugabe would have been a nobody. Solomon and the late Josiah Tongogara led the Zanla forces", Sunday Tribune, January 9,2005
  2. ^ " Mujuru under house arrest", The Zimbabwean, February 18, 2008
  3. ^ "Senior figures from within the party led by former army chief Solomon Mujuru are expected to challenge Mr Mugabe", The Zimbabwean, February 18, 2008

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