THE family of the late Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) deputy director (internal), Elias Kanengoni, who was buried at the National Heroes Acre on Monday, has instructed doctors to conduct further tests to validate or not the results of the post-mortem amid allegations of suspected foul play. Report by John Nyashanu
Kanengoni’s son Tapiwa yesterday declined to say more on the family’s demands for more tests on the cause of the death of his father, but the late spy agency boss’ close associates are reported to have said they suspected that Kanengoni could have been eliminated.
The post-mortem report released early this week concluded that he succumbed to cardiac arrest, but close family members revealed to NewsDay yesterday that they were eager to establish what caused the heart failure.
“Though the post-mortem report cites cardiac arrest as the reason for his death, we are awaiting results of further tests to ascertain what caused the heart failure,” Kanengoni’s son, Tapiwa, said.
Quizzed on why they wanted further tests, Tapiwa said he could not comment and only said: “Let’s wait for the results, then we can talk.”
The family’s position comes amid reports that CIO director-general (DG) Happyton Bonyongwe called for thorough investigations into the death of Kanengoni, who died after collapsing at his Concession farm last Wednesday.
The spy agency boss is said to have raised suspicion about Kanengoni’s death when he visited the funeral palour in the capital where his body had been conveyed.
“The DG (Bonyongwe) was not convinced that Kanengoni’s death was natural. He openly said investigations had to be instituted to ascertain the real cause of his death,” said a well-placed Zanu PF source.
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Numerous speculative theories have emerged over the possible cause of death. Some suspect he could have been poisoned by political rivals in Mashonaland Central where he was reportedly at loggerheads with the provincial leadership. Others suspect the late CIO second-in-command, who reportedly had two wives, fell victim to consequences of a polygamous relationship.
The bad blood reportedly between Kanengoni and the Zanu PF provincial leadership in Mashonaland Central surfaced even in death as they allegedly attempted to block a recommendation by the CIO to declare him national hero. Zanu PF sources said Vice-President Joice Mujuru, who was Acting President last week, had to take a stand and declared Kanengoni national hero, leaving the Mashonaland Central leadership with egg on the face.
