Hunzvi's death a blow to Mugabe

By CNN's Bob Coen in Harare

HARARE, Zimbabwe -- The death of Chenjerai Hunzvi, the controversial leader of Zimbabwe's war veterans, will come as a serious blow to President Robert Mugabe and his ruling Zanu PF party.

Hunzvi, who died in Harare on Monday, was the third high-ranking party member and ally of President Mugabe to die in the past six weeks, with two important cabinet ministers -- including the Defence Minister -- killed in separate car crashes.

All three men were trusted advisors to President Mugabe and were each playing pivotal roles in the ruling party's election campaign in the run up to presidential elections due to be held next year.

President Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, will be seeking re-election in a poll that observers believe will be a landmark in Zimbabwe politics with Mugabe facing his strongest challenge yet from the opposition MDC party.

ALSO Profile: Chenjerai Hunzvi

Many believe Mugabe and the ruling party are now fighting for their political survival -- and Hunzvi was playing a key role in that fight.

COUNTRY PROFILES At a glance: Zimbabwe Provided by CountryWatch.com

A Polish trained doctor, Hunzvi rose from relative obscurity in 1996 to become the powerful leader of veterans of the liberation war that won Zimbabwe independence from colonial rule.

After a lengthy and hostile confrontation with the government, he won the war veterans a pay-out package and monthly allowance.

But Hunzvi really came into the spotlight during the lead up to last year's parliamentary elections.

Using his "nom de guerre" Hitler, he spearheaded the often violent invasions of hundreds of white-owned farms together with gangs of fellow war veterans and government supporters.

He and his war veterans were also blamed for launching a massive wave of political violence around the country ahead of those elections which saw at least 35 opposition supporters killed.

It was alleged that Hunzvi's surgery in the capital Harare was used as a torture centre by the war veterans and his name alone struck fear into the hearts of many.

Despite the intimidation campaign the opposition managed to win 57 of the 120 contested parliamentary seats -- a turning point in Zimbabwe politics.

Hunzvi himself won election as a member of parliament for the ruling party in those elections.

In recent months Hunzvi and his war veterans had turned their attention to invading companies and industries in the cities, under the guise of settling labour disputes.

Many observers believe this was part of a campaign by the ruling party to both win support and sow fear in the urban constituencies ahead of next years presidential poll.

Attacks on opposition parliamentarians and supporters by war veterans had also stepped up recently, with several abducted and severely assaulted.

But Hunzvi also faced controversy within his own war veterans movement where he was embroiled in leadership struggles and had been accused of misappropriating funds.

Some even questioned both his liberation war and medical credentials and others were uncomfortable with what they perceived as the war veterans movement being used as proxy militia by the ruling party.

It is unclear who will replace Hunzvi as leader of the war veterans and whether there is anyone who can match his fervour and style.

What is certain is that Hunzvi's fiery presence is sure to be missed by President Mugabe and his ruling party as the campaign for next year's crucial presidential election gains momentum.