Solomon Mujuru, husband of Zimbabwean Deputy President Joyce Mujuru, apparently died in a house fire Aug. 16. Solomon Mujuru was a former Zimbabwean National Army commander and a major force within the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). His death clears the way for the Mujurus' top rival, Defense Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, to control the selection of President Robert Mugabe's successor. Solomon Mujuru was at his farm in Beatrice some 61 kilometers (38 miles) south of Harare when he died. Reportedly his house caught fire and he was unable to escape before the roof collapsed on him. However, his death likely was not an accident, and fire is an effective way of destroying evidence of foul play. Mujuru, with his experience in the power politics of ZANU-PF, would be familiar with the Zimbabwean ruling party's ability to kill, maim or "disappear" rival politicians.