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Zimbabwe air force head 'wounded' | Zimbabwe air force head 'wounded' |
(30 minutes later) | |
The commander of Zimbabwe's air force has been shot and wounded in an apparent assassination attempt, state media reports. | |
Perence Shiri, a close ally of President Robert Mugabe, was hit in the arm, and is said to be stable. | |
He is described as one of the most feared members of Zimbabwe's military. | |
The opposition accused him and other military leaders of masterminding a campaign of violence against its supporters during this year's election. | |
Correspondents say this is the first time such a senior government figure has been the target of a violent attack for many years. | |
Officials said the incident was one of a series of targeted attacks aimed at destabilising the country, but other sources suggest an internal party feud. | Officials said the incident was one of a series of targeted attacks aimed at destabilising the country, but other sources suggest an internal party feud. |
"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," state media quoted Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi as saying. | |
Feared | |
Air Marshal Shiri was ambushed on Saturday while driving to his farm. | |
South Africa's Independent Online website quoted police as saying he was accosted by unknown people who shot at his car. | |
When he heard the gunshots, he got out thinking it was a puncture and was shot. | |
Air Marshal Shiri sits on the joint operations command which advises Mr Mugabe. | |
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change said the JOC was behind the violent attacks on its supporters ahead of June' presidential run-off - allegations the military strongly denied. | |
Air Marshal Shiri was commander of the Fifth Brigade, blamed for the killing of 20,000 people in Matabeleland during the 1980s. |