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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, according to media reports. 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 ambushed on Saturday while driving to his farm. Perence Shiri, a close ally of President Robert Mugabe, was hit in the arm, and is said to be stable.
He was hit in the arm, and is said to be in a stable condition. 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.