Perrance Shiri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Perrance Shiri
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Shiri in 2014
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| Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement | |
| In office 30 November 2017 – 27 July 2020 |
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| President | Emmerson Mnangagwa |
| Deputy | Davis Marapira |
| Commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe | |
| In office 1992 – 7 December 2017 |
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| President | Robert Mugabe |
| Preceded by | Josiah Tungamirai |
| Succeeded by | Shebba Shumbayaonda (Acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Bigboy Samson Chikerema
11 January 1955 Gweru, Southern Rhodesia |
| Died | 29 July 2020 (aged 65) Harare, Zimbabwe |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | Royal College of Defence Studies |
| Awards | Grand Commander of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit |
| Nickname | Perrance Shiri |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Zimbabwe |
| Branch/service | Air Force of Zimbabwe |
| Rank | Air Chief Marshal |
| Commands | Fifth Brigade Air Force of Zimbabwe |
Perrance Shiri (born Bigboy Samson Chikerema; 11 January 1955 – 29 July 2020) was a high-ranking officer in the Zimbabwean air force. He also served as a government official. From 2017 until his death in 2020, he was the Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement in Zimbabwe's government.
He was the commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe. He was also a member of the Joint Operations Command. This group helps control Zimbabwe's government day by day. Perrance Shiri was a cousin of former President Robert Mugabe.
On 30 November 2017, President Emmerson Mnangagwa chose Shiri to be the Minister of Agriculture. On 18 December, he was promoted to Air Chief Marshal when he retired from the military.
Contents
Military and Government Career
Early Military Service
From 1983 to 1984, Perrance Shiri led the Zimbabwean Fifth Brigade. This group was involved in a period of conflict in Matabeleland. Many civilians were affected during this time. Despite these events, Shiri was accepted into the Royal College of Defence Studies in London in 1986.
In 1992, Shiri became the commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe. He took over this role from Air Chief Marshal Josiah Tungamirai.
Role in the Congo War
Shiri was in charge of Zimbabwean troops when the Second Congo War began. He made the decision for the Zimbabwean forces to protect N'Djili and its airport. This was important to keep an air route open for supplies and extra troops.
Land Reforms and Food Supply
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Shiri was reported to have helped organize land changes. These changes involved war veterans taking over farms. When food shortages happened in 2002, President Mugabe sent Shiri to South Africa to buy maize (corn). This effort was supported by a large credit note from Libyan leader, Colonel Gaddafi.
Political Discussions
In February 2007, the Zimbabwean press reported that Shiri often attended unofficial meetings. These meetings included General Solomon Mujuru and other senior military and political leaders. They discussed the idea of having an election in 2008 to replace President Mugabe.
Diamond Mining Areas
In 2008, some lawyers and politicians from Mutare claimed that Shiri managed military actions. These actions were against people digging for diamonds without permission in eastern Zimbabwe.
2008 Election Role
Before the 2008 Zimbabwean presidential election, Shiri and other defence leaders held a press conference. They announced that security forces were placed across the country to keep order. They also stated that only the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission could announce the election winner.
International Sanctions
In 2002, the European Union stopped Perrance Shiri from entering EU countries. On 6 March 2003, George W. Bush, the US President, ordered that any of Shiri's property in the United States be blocked.
Later Life and Death
Assassination Attempt
On 13 December 2008, Shiri was attacked while driving to his farm. Unknown people shot at his car. He thought a tire had burst, so he got out and was shot in the arm. Some people thought this attack was because of his actions in the diamond mining areas or his role in Matabeleland in the 1980s.
In October 2013, Shiri's son, Titus Takudzwa Chikerema, passed away at the age of 21.
2017 Leadership Change and New Role
Shiri played an important role in the 2017 Zimbabwean coup d'état. This event led to President Mugabe being removed from power. On 30 November 2017, President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed Shiri as the Minister of Agriculture. He was promoted to Air Chief Marshal upon his retirement from the military on 18 December.
Passing Away
Perrance Shiri died on 29 July 2020, at the age of 65. He had been hospitalized the day before. Local news sources reported that his death was due to complications from COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe. President Mnangagwa called Shiri a "longtime friend and colleague" and a "true patriot." Anxious Jongwe Masuka later took over Shiri's role as the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, and Rural Resettlement.
See also
In Spanish: Perrance Shiri para niños
