In November 2017, the teapot shaped nation of Zimbabwe was filled with jubilation after the late President Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule met its demise through a military coup.
The coup, which was the first in the country’s history saw President Emmerson Mnangagwa taking over the reins from his long time mentor after protracted and often dramatic factional squabbles in the ruling party ZANU PF.
However, after the successful execution of the coup, the majority of Army Generals who assisted Mnangagwa to snatch power went to meet their maker before fully enjoying the fruits of their sacrifice.
Among the most notable Generals are Rtd Lieutenant General Sibusiso Moyo, Rtd Air Marshal Perence Shiri, former Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) boss Paradzai Zimondi, Lieutenant General Edzai Chimonyo, Colonel Overson Mugwisi, Rtd Lt General Douglas Nyikayaramba and many others who were not prominent public figures.
Apart from the deceased, Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga who orchestrated the coup escaped death by a whisker after he allegedly fell victim to poisoning and spent months in South African and Indian Hospitals before being flown to China, where a risky Oesophagus operation saved his life.
Upon his return, Rtd Gen Chiwenga found some of his former military colleagues dead, several of them falling victim to Covid-19.
Speculation has been rife within the corridors of power and society at large that COVID-19 maybe have been a convenient scapegoat for the generals’ death. Some still hold the suspicion that the late generals were eliminated.
According to commentators, the late Generals were “too powerful” and posed an existential threat to the Second Republic Government.
The commentators who buy into the elimination theory are of the view that Mnangagwa doubted the loyalty of these Generals and also feared that they might instigate another coup to depose him hence the need to coup proof his government by “elimination of potential threats.”
Renowned political Analyst Alexander Rusero however rubbished these claims saying there was no foul play in the death of the military men.
“You don’t stop dying because of the coup,” he said. “People do die at any given time.”
Rusero also said some of these military top brass had their own health issues prior the coup.
“Remember these are army generals who after the war remained with certain war related ailments and sicknesses. There is not one general who is completely fit in that regard,” he said.
