Stir The Pot :Paidamoyo Muzulu LAST week marked the fifth anniversary of the mysterious death of Solomon Mujuru (Rex Nhongo) – a war hero, former military commander, politician, business mogul and Zanu PF kingmaker until his demise. His death sent shock waves across the political spectrum, but more importantly changed Zimbabwe’s course of history. Mujuru, who was known as a colourful personality, but rarely known, was introduced to the world by academic Blessing Miles Tendi in his book – The Army and Politics in Zimbabwe, Mujuru the Liberation Fighter and Kingmaker – published early this year. The book gives an insight into the life of the man – one of the few who stood up to the late former President Robert Mugabe at the height of his powers, fought with every inch of life to stop Emmerson Mnangagwa from succeeding Mugabe and the man who subsequently amassed assets spanning across many sectors of the economy worth in millions of dollars. It may not be clear why Mujuru never wanted Mnangagwa to succeed Mugabe, but Tendi states that the former military commander was certain in his mind that he should succeed Mugabe – the man he installed as Zanu PF leader in 1979 through a devious manipulation of the liberation movement military hierarchy. War hero Wilfred Mhanda also known as Dzinashe Machingura is quoted in the book speaking about how Mugabe became Zanu leader: “Nhongo then submitted our list, with Mugabe at the top. (Samora) Machel leapt from his chair in disgust. He was not clearly happy that we had included Mugabe, let alone as the leader.” (Page 82). Joice Mujuru, Solomon’s second wife and former Vice-President in Mugabe’s administration is quoted in the book (page 84) hinting that Mujuru may have promoted the rise of Mugabe because they were kinsmen. She says: “My husband and Mugabe were distantly related …. But Solomon also said Mugabe as his distant relative also influenced his decision to make sure Mugabe became leader.” It is the aforementioned relationship and influence in having Mugabe become leader that Mujuru later in 2004 used to have his wife – Joice – rise to become a deputy to Mugabe in the party and subsequently Vice-President of the Republic. During the 2004 Zanu PF congress, Mujuru actively campaigned for his wife to become VP after his preferred candidate Sydney Sekeramayi had turned down the offer. Mujuru is said to have retorted: “Sekeremayi does not want the leadership, so I am now taking my testicles from him and placing them next to my wife (page 243).” Mujuru had earlier in 1989 stopped Mugabe dead in his tracks to constitutionalise a one-party state because of his aversion to communism. Zipra intelligence supremo and war hero Dumiso Dabengwa is quoted on the matter saying: “Rex did not subscribe to communist ideals and he thought Mugabe was becoming too powerful for his liking.” The aforementioned points to Mujuru being a capitalist who loved wealth accumulation and knew he could not make it in a communist country. Tendi wrote, “Nhongo hated being poor and had long desired to better himse