Solomon Mujuru

Rtd. General
Solomon Mujuru
Second Gentlemen of Zimbabwe
In office
6 December 2004 – 15 August 2011
Vice PresidentJoice Mujuru
Preceded byMaud Muzenda (as Second Lady, 2003)
Succeeded byAuxillia Mnangagwa (as Second Lady, 2014)
Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces
In office
1981–1992
PresidentRobert Mugabe
Preceded byPeter Walls
Succeeded byVitalis Zvinavashe
Personal details
Born
Solomon Tapfumaneyi Mutusva

(1945-05-05)5 May 1945
Enkeldoorn, Southern Rhodesia
Died15 August 2011(2011-08-15) (aged 66)
Alamein Farm, Beatrice, Zimbabwe
Resting placeNational Heroes' Acre
NationalityZimbabwean
Political partyZANU-PF
SpouseJoice Mujuru
ResidenceAlamein Farm
OccupationMilitary leader, politician
NicknameRex Nhongo
Military service
Allegiance Zimbabwe Defence Forces
Branch/serviceZimbabwe African National Liberation Army
 Zimbabwe National Army
Years of service1964–1990
RankGeneral
Battles/warsRhodesian Bush War

Solomon Mujuru (born Solomon Tapfumaneyi Mutusva; 5 May 1945 – 15 August 2011), also known by his nom-de-guerre, Rex Nhongo, was a Zimbabwean military officer and politician who led Robert Mugabe's guerrilla forces during the Rhodesian Bush War.[1] He was an influential figure in Zimbabwe's post-independence politics.

He was from the Zezuru clan. In post-independence Zimbabwe, he went on to become army chief before leaving government service in 1995. After leaving his post in the Zimbabwe National Army, he got into politics becoming Member of Parliament for Chikomba on a Zanu PF ticket. He was generally regarded as one of the most feared men in Zimbabwe. His wife, Joice Mujuru, became vice-president of Zimbabwe in 2004.

  1. ^ Tendi, Blessing-Miles (2020). The Army and Politics in Zimbabwe: Mujuru, the Liberation Fighter and Kingmaker. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/9781108561600. ISBN 978-1-108-47289-0. S2CID 243675045.