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Zimbabwe
Tsvangirai leaves hospital, rules out foul play and prepares for funeral on Wednesday
Article published on the 2009-03-09 Latest update 2009-03-09 12:43 TU
Morgan Tsvangirai leaving the hospital
(Photo: Reuters)
Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai returned to the country on Monday following treatment in Botswana for injuries he sustained in a car crash on Friday. His wife died in the accident, although Tsvangirai has ruled out foul play and an MDC spokesperson says will there will be an “independent investigation”.
The collision on Friday claimed the life of Tsvangirai’s wife, Susan, after a truck hit their 4x4 vehicle on a road to their hometown of Buhera.
Tsvangirai was taken to Botswana to receive treatment, and returned to Zimbabwe on Monday, his face visibly swollen from injuries sustained as his vehicle flipped over.
The Prime Minister, who gave his first speech to parliament last week, would be celebrating his 57th birthday on Tuesday, but instead will be paying his respects in Harare during a public service, before the burial the next day.
“Yes the date has been set, […] Wednesday, early in the morning,” says Nelson Chamisa, minister of communications.
Interview: Nelson Chamisa, Minister of Communications
Tsvangirai has ruled out foul play in the accident, which had prompted speculation over the possible involvement of President Robert Mugabe, who celebrated his birthday last weekend.
“Obviously there was no escort, and that is an issue that needs to be resolved, we are hoping that the security arrangements around the Prime Minister is a matter of urgency,” Chamisa told RFI. “There is going to be a police report, as well as an independent investigation,” he added.
Susan Tsvangirai, aged 50, had six children with Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister, and had founded a charity to teach woman about AIDS.
Morgan Tsvangirai's wrecked vehicle
(Photo: Reuters)
It appears that the truck which struck Tsvangirai’s vehicle was a US-British aid lorry which delivers HIV/AID drugs.
“I am not supposed to be suspecting, that is why we have a report, which will give us the truth and the facts as they are, so that we don’t just jump the gun and jump to conclusions,” Chamisa told RFI, an advisor to Tsvangirai.
US celebrities, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, called Tsvangirai on Monday to offer their condolences, although they could not get through.
