Solomon Mujuru condolences pour from all over

The death of General Solomon Mujuru has been described as a blow, not just to the Mujuru family, but to the whole nation.

In a condolence message to Vice President Joice Mujuru, children, the Mujuru family and the nation, the Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Rugare Gumbo said the country has lost a rare breed of a cadre, who was one of the pioneers of the armed struggle against colonial oppression.

He said the late Retired General Mujuru was a strategic thinker, who appreciated the political, economic and social dynamics of Zimbabwe and was always ready to offer possible solutions to such problems.

MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai said "It is with deep sorrow and grief that I learnt of the death of Retired General Solomon Tapfumanei Mujuru, one of the undisputed national heroes of this country. Rtd General Mujuru, the founding commander of our national army after independence, will be greatly remembered for his sterling role in the liberation struggle and his outstanding and distinguished service in our military."

Zanu-PF National Chairman, Simon Khaya Moyo likened General Mujuru's death to a political tsunami that has shaken the whole nation.

"We have worked together for a very long time and his death is indeed a great loss to the nation," said Cde S.K Moyo.

Former Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Charles Utete said he knew Cde Mujuru as a dedicated son of the soil who sacrificed his life to liberate the country.

Meanwhile, Mashonaland East Province has recommended that the late General Mujuru be declared a national hero.

The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators Association (ZILIWACO) also sent a message of condolence to the Mujuru family and the entire nation following the death of a revolutionary icon, Rtd General Mujuru.

The association's Secretary for Information and Publicity, Cde Shine Chakanyuka described the late Rtd Mujuru as an epitome of courage and sacrifice for the liberation of Zimbabwe.

Indeed the passing on of Cde Mujuru shook off the whole nation and from beyond the country's borders, the Zimbabwean delegation to Brazil says it has it is with the Mujuru family and the nation at large in mourning Cde Mujuru.

Delivering the condolence message, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Walter Mzembi said the delegation has learnt with great shock and profound sadness on the unexpected passing on of Rtd General Mujuru.

"We extend our utmost sincere and heartfelt condolences to Mai Mujuru, her children, the Zanu-PF party and the entire nation at large. May the Mujuru family take comfort and solace in the knowledge that our thoughts and prayers are with them at this most trying and difficult time," said Muzembi.    

Back home, scores of people including First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe, Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe, government ministers and Reserve Bank Governor, Gideon Gono converged at the Mujuru homestead in Chisipite, Harare to convey their condolences.

At his Ruzambu farm in Beatrice, scores of people converged by mid-morning to honour the liberation war hero.

Workers at farm described Mujuru's death as a big blow not only to the farming operations but to their daily lives as well.

At the farm, the workers were in a sombre mood trying to come to terms with the death of a person they described as a fatherly figure.

"Mujuru was like a father to us. He had even allocated 3 hectares of land to each us, the farm workers and what is more painful about his death is that he had planned to double his tobacco hectarage this season," said one of the workers, Mr Isdore Makusha, who is in charge of the tobacco crop at the farm.

Mujuru died yesterday in a fire accident at his farm house in Beatrice and police forensics are still investigating the cause of the fire which engulfed the entire house.