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Zimbabwe Air Marshal shot

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Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Air Marshal Shiri is one of Mugabe's (pictured) closest allies.
Image: Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Lock (USAF).

The chief of the Zimbabwe Air Force has been shot in the arm in an apparent assassination attempt. Air Marshal Perence Shiri, 53, is recovering in a local hospital.

Officials blame the incident on terrorists and political opponents. They also say that the assailant was trained in Botswana.

"The attack on Air Marshal Shiri appears to be a build-up of terror attacks targeting high profile persons, government officials, government establishments and public transportation systems," said Home Affairs Minister, Kembo Mohadi.

Shiri is a strong ally of President Mugabe. Many believe that Shiri masterminded the intimidation campaign used against the Movement for Democratic Change supporters during the 2008 presidential elections.


Sources

  • BBC News. Zimbabwe's air force chief 'shot' — BBC News Online, December 16, 2008
  • MacDonald Dzirutwe. Zimbabwe commander shot in attack: state media — Reuters Africa Online, December 16, 2008


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