(TALKZIMBABWE) Tsvangirai rules out foul play
Tsvangirai rules out foul playOur reporter/sources
Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:41:00 +0000
PRIME MINISTER, Morgan Tsvangirai, today ruled out foul play in the car accident that killed his wife, Susan, and left him wounded on Friday.
Tsvangirai flew into the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, this morning ahead of his wife's funeral on Wednesday.
He was wearing dark glasses over a swollen eye and his face was still swollen but with no bandages visible.
Tsvangirai, 56, who addressed a crowd outside his home in Strathaven said: "It was an accident. When something happens there is always speculation, but I want to say in this case, if there was any foul play, it was [a likelihood of] one in a thousand."
The Movement for Democratic Change leader returned to Zimbabwe on Monday after being treated over the weekend in a hospital in neighbouring Botswana, telling reporters at Harare's airport, "I'm feeling fine".
The Tsvangirais had been married for 31 years and were travelling from Harare to their rural home in Buhera on Friday afternoon when their vehicle was involved in an accident with a lorry travelling in the opposite direction.
Aides close to Mr Tsvangirai say that he is in 'huge emotional shock' over Mrs Tsvangirai's death.
The prime minister, his driver and his head of security were taken to hospital. The driver of the lorry, Chinoona Mwanda, 35, was unhurt.
Mwanda's lawyer, Chris Mhike, said his client was "deeply distressed" and intended to plead not guilty to culpable homicide at a court appearance later Monday.
The road on which the Tsvangirais were travelling is in poor condition but potholes on the stretch where the accident happened have recently been filled in. Near the accident site there is, however, a protruding bump that is believed to be road-mending material left by workers.
"We know that we shall all die, but let's celebrate the life of Susan because we have gone through trials and tribulations together," said Tsvangirai adding that he had returned to Harare to resume his duties in Zimbabwe's inclusive Government because that is what his wife would have wanted.
The death triggered an outpouring of grief across the country in a show of the couple's popularity. Thousands of mourners were keeping vigil outside the house where Susan Tsvangirai's body is lying in state.
A rally in honour of Susan Tsvangirai, who was 50, will be held Tuesday on the prime minister's 57th birthday
She will be buried on Wednesday in Buhera. She is survived by six children.
The deputy prime minister, Thokozani Khuphe, is handling day-to-day affairs until at least Wednesday. The finance minister, Tendai Biti, has stressed the government will continue its work in Tsvangirai's absence.
Labels: MORGAN TSVANGIRAI
posted by MrK @ 10:27 AM
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