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of Retired General Solomon Tapfumaneyi Mujuru continued yesterday. Gen Mujuru died in an inferno that burned down the farmhouse at his Alamein Farm in Beatrice in the early hours of Tuesday.
In its message the Foreign Affairs Ministry said the death had robbed the nation of an illustrious revolutionary and unparalleled military commander who played a prominent role in the liberation struggle.
Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, said the Rtd Gen’s works had culminated in the country’s independence that is enjoyed and cherished today.
“His contribution in post-independence Zimbabwe was invaluable as witnessed by the smooth integration of the Zanla, Zipra and the former Rhodesian forces into a stable, professional and well-trained army that has excelled in various peacekeeping missions world-wide,” said Minister Mumbengegwi.
He said the entire staff of the ministry had learnt with deep shock and disbelief the untimely death of Rtd Gen Mujuru.
“The ministry wishes to convey its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to Vice President, Cde Joice Mujuru and to the Mujuru family on their loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during their time of bereavement,” he said.
He also said Rtd Gen Mujuru served the country with honour and distinction not only as a founding member of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces but in other spheres, including as a Member of Parliament from 1995 to 2000.
Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Stan Mudenge said his entire staff and all institutions under his ministry learnt with great shock the tragic and painful death of Rtd Gen Mujuru, saying he was a great commander, an intellectual and motivated leader.
“We therefore would like to express our heartfelt condolences to Vice President Amai Mujuru, the children and grandchildren on the loss of Retired General Mujuru. We further express our condolences to His Excellency, President Robert Gabriel Mugabe.
“He (Rtd Gen Mujuru) will be greatly missed by the entire nation for his immense contribution to a free, prosperous and peaceful Zimbabwe,” said Minister Mudenge.
He said as a demonstration of his prowess, astuteness and outstanding leadership and in recognition of his intellectual abilities as a leader and strategist, the ministry in conjunction with the University of Zimbabwe awarded Rtd Gen Mujuru an honorary Doctor of Law degree in 2003.
In a statement yesterday, Indigenous Business Development Centre president Mr Ben Mucheche said Rtd Gen Mujuru’s death was a huge loss not only to the Mujuru family but the entire nation.
“The IBDC national president Mr Ben Mucheche, board members and staff wish to express our deep and heartfelt condolences to the Vice President Joice Mujuru, children, the Mujuru family and indeed the country as a whole on the sad loss of the gallant freedom fighter Reitred General Solomon Tapfumaneyi Mujuru.
“He is a renowned businessman and farmer and the country indeed lost an asset. He will be greatly remembered for his sterling role in the liberation struggle and his outstanding and distinguished service in our country.
“Zimbabwe has lost a patriot who served his country with honour and distinction. The painful national story cannot be told without mentioning the name Rex Nhongo, a true and gallant son of the soil,” he said.
Mr Mucheche said Rtd Gen Mujuru was a champion of indigenisation and black economic empowerment.
Zanu-PF National Consultative Assembly member Cde John Gwitira, who worked with Rtd Gen Mujuru during the liberation struggle, said he was saddened by his untimely and horrific death.
“We are saddened by the death of Rtd Gen Mujuru,” he said, adding the Rtd General was an excellent fighter who played a pivotal role in the liberation struggle.
African National Party leader, Mr Egypt Dzinemunhenzva said Rtd Gen Mujuru was an inspiration to the country and deserved to be a national hero.
“Working with Rtd General Mujuru during the liberation struggle benefited all of us and he simply played his role for the love of Zimbabwe,” he said.
The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe said Zimbabwe’s liberation that led to the freedom of artistic and cultural expression, amongst other freedoms, cannot be told without mentioning the name Rex Nhongo, a true and gallant son of the soil.
Small scale and communal farmers participating at the Harare Agricultural Show also mourned Rtd Gen Mujuru. Most farmers said it was through the efforts of liberation struggle fighters such as Rtd
Gen Mujuru that they were now free to participate at events such as the Harare Agricultural Show.
Mrs Elizabeth Mutarisi, a beneficiary of the land reform programme, said it was through people like Rtd Gen Mujuru that the majority now have fertile land.
“Communal farmers used to produce on rocky unfertile soils but because of freedom fighters such as Rtd Gen Mujuru we now have our land back,” she said.
Mrs Mutarisi said Rtd Gen Mujuru was a fellow farmer who was contributing to economic recovery.
“A farmer has the responsibility of feeding the nation and such was Rtd Gen Mujuru,” she said.
Murehwa farmer, Mrs Ireen Musakwa, who is also a war veteran, said Rtd Gen Mujuru was irreplaceable.
“He is irreplaceable and we will always remember Cde Rex Nhongo and his contribution towards the freedom of this nation,” she said.
Rtd Gen Mujuru was a prominent farmer and last year he scooped the second prize in the commercial sector Tobacco Producer of the Year at the Tobacco Sales Floor.
He will be buried today at the National Heroes Acre.
Online Reporter