Republic of Zimbabwe Vice-President Joice Mujuru receives two fire tenders in honor of her late husband, Ret-Gen. Solomon Mujuru. The liberation war veteran died in a fire earlier in 2011., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
VP Mujuru receives fire tenders
Thursday, 08 December 2011
Michael Chideme Municipal Reporter
Zimbabwe Herald
VICE President Joice Mujuru broke down yesterday when she received two fire tenders from Mr Peter Lobel who made the donation in honour of the late national hero General Solomon Mujuru.
Gen Mujuru (Retired) died in an inferno at his Beatrice farm in August this year.
A sobbing Cde Mujuru held hands with Mr Lobel as she was shown the vehicles and later asked Mr Lobel to hold her hands again as she delivered her speech, which was punctuated with emotional breakdowns.
After receiving the two fire tenders, she handed them over to Harare City Council.
"It is hard. But it's a pleasure," she said in reference to accepting the death of General Mujuru and the subsequent honour given to him by Mr Lobel.
She said when information about the donation was broken to her she "just thought they were e-mails" adding that she was jealous of the "two beautiful ladies" (fire tenders).
Ever since her husband died, VP Mujuru said, not a single day has passed without her receiving mail and words of encouragement from the huge network that General Mujuru created.
She lauded Mr Lobel for the respect he accorded to General Mujuru and Harare City Council.
"You have shown love to my husband and to City of Harare. On behalf of the family and children, we have no better words to thank you," she said.
VP Mujuru said she was still trying to understand the kind of man she lived with for the past 35 years after the huge support from people - some she does not know, but were his connections.
Fire tenders from Harare City Council arrived late at General Mujuru's farm and because of their poor state failed to extinguish the fire.
Numerous other house fires in Harare have claimed lives and property mainly because the fire tenders were in bad state.
At times the city has failed to attend to house fires.
Mr Lobel, who is now based in the United States, could also not contain his emotions as he continuously wiped off tears while making his address.
He is the son of the late Mr Ben and Miriam Lobel - the founders of Lobels Bakery.
Mr Lobel said he was prompted to donate the vehicles following the death of General Mujuru, who was a family friend for a long time.
He said the level of the friendship was such that when Mr Lobel's mother died in February, General Mujuru carried her casket to her final resting place.
He bemoaned the poor state of the fire fighting equipment in Harare, the majority of which is over 30 years old.
He invited other people with resources to help the city.
Mr Lobel is a family friend of the Mujurus and felt touched by the horrendous manner in which General Mujuru died.
The two vehicles are inscribed the words "This truck donated by Peter Lobel in memory of Solomon T Mujuru".
Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda promised that the fire tenders will be well looked after.
Councillors, city and Government officials attended the handover ceremony yesterday.
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