Zimbabwe general's death may prompt power struggle

A raging house fire has killed one of Zimbabwe's main political brokers, raising questions Tuesday about the battle within longtime President Robert Mugabe's party over who will succeed the ailing 87-year-old leader, AP reported. Gen. Solomon Mujuru, the 62-year-old former military chief and guerrilla leader, died in an overnight fire at one of his homes, the nation's army commander said Tuesday. Mujuru headed Zimbabwe's military for more than a decade after independence in 1980, and his widow is vice president. Joice Mujuru and her supporters are vying for supremacy within their party should Mugabe die or retire. Mugabe's ZANU-PF party has been plagued by disputes over who will succeed him. Mujuru's wife leads a powerful faction in Mugabe's party, but she counted on the support of her husband, who still commanded loyalty in the military for his role in helping sweep Mugabe into power at independence in 1980. His power base was seen as the foundation of her political fortunes. After his retirement, Mujuru acquired an empire of farms, properties, mines and other interests that made him one of wealthiest and most influential figures in the top echelons of Mugabe's party and its policymaking politburo. "His death leaves the party in a shambles. He was holding it together and we will now see more infighting," said John Makumbe, a political scientist at Zimbabwe's main university. Reporters at the scene of the farm some 35 miles (55 kilometers) southwest of Harare saw the building razed to the ground. Police said Mujuru's body was "burned beyond recognition."