Foul play suspected in Chidyausiku's death amid allegations that he was poisoned

Online publication New Zimbabwe is alleging that the family of the late Retired Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku is supecting foul play in his death. Some family members reportedly believe that Chidyausiku, who died earlier this week in South Africa, was poisoned at his retirement party. After that night, he never fully recovered and had to be admitted to the Avenues clinic before being airlifted to South Africa. The party was boycotted by all Ministers except former Minister of Justice, Patrick Chinamasa.

One of the relatives who spoke to New Zimbabwe said:

It is true that we suspect that he was poisoned on the day of his farewell party. That is what all the relatives are saying; if you go to the funeral wake, you will hear it for yourself,

Chidyausiku had been involved in a nasty public fight with the Minister of Justice, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the appointment of his successor.  The Minister wanted to wait until the constitution was amended, for the successor to be chosen, while the Retired Chief Justice stuck to his guns and advocated for following the procedure laid out in the Constitution.  The fight went all the way to the Supreme Court, where Chidyausiku was vindicated.  However, the other side appealed to the Constitutional Court, but the matter became academic after President Mugabe appointed Luke Malaba as the new Chief Justice, using the procedure advocated for by Chidyausiku.

More: New Zimbabwe