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Morgan Tsvangirai: Crash was accident
Kiran Randhawa9 Mar 2009
Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said today that a car crash which injured him and killed his wife was an accident.
Mr Tsvangirai made the comments as he returned to the country after going to Botswana for medical treatment. He said there was only a "one in a thousand" chance that his wife Susan's death involved crime.
"In such incidents there is always speculation but in this case I want to assure you that if there was any foul play it would probably be one in 1,000," he told mourners outside his home.
"It was an accident which unfortunately took a life. I am sure that life has to go on and I'm sure she would have liked for life to go on."
Mr Tsvangirai is under mounting pressure to rescue the country's shattered economy under a unity government with President Robert Mugabe, his long-standing rival.
Many Zimbabweans are suspicious about Friday's crash because of acrimony between Mr Tsvangirai and Mr Mugabe.
Police said a lorry carrying aid down the potholed highway crossed into the lane in which the prime minister's 4x4 was travelling and side-swiped the vehicle, causing it to roll over three times.
Mr Tsvangirai's wife of 31 years, described as a pillar of strength during her husband's 10 years of opposition to Mr Mugabe, is expected to be buried on Wednesday.
Lorry driver Chinoona Mwanda appeared in court today in Chivhu, 90 miles south of Harare. He was remanded to return on 23 March.
Reader views (1)
It is Mugabe's reputation that feeds the rumours, even if the facts suggest otherwise.
- Rogan, Irving, 10/03/2009 06:37
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