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March 7, 2009

Zimbabwe's Opposition to Probe Tsvangirai Car Crash
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Finance minister and opposition leader Tendai Biti tells reporters
police escort could have prevented car accident, which injured prime
minister and killed his wife 
Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his wife Susan (file
photo)Regional and world leaders have sent condolences to Zimbabwe Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who is recovering from injures suffered in
a car accident that killed his wife. South African President
Kgalema Motlanthe issued a statement Saturday expressing his shock and
wishing Mr. Tsvangirai a speedy recovery. The South African Press
Association (SAPA) reports ruling African National Congress party
President Jacob Zuma issued a similar statement. The United States and
Britain have also sent condolences. Earlier
Saturday, Zimbabwean finance minister and opposition leader Tendai Biti
told reporters a police escort could have prevented the car accident.
The Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general said that while
police are investigating whether foul play was involved in the
accident, the MDC will conduct its own probe. Initial reports say the
truck that hit the prime minister's car was carrying AIDS medicine
donated by the United States. The wrecked vehicle lays alongside the
road near Harare, 07 Mar 2009MDC
officials have said they want an inquiry into the collision late Friday
on the poorly maintained road where the crash happened on the outskirts
of the capital, Harare. The prime minister sustained injuries to his
head but is reported to be in stable condition in a Harare hospital.
Zimbabwe's
President Robert Mugabe visited the hospital where the prime minister,
a long-time bitter political rival, is being treated. Mr. Mugabe did
not speak to reporters. Tsvangirai's wife, Susan, was 50 years old. They
have six children. Mr.
Mugabe and Mr. Tsvangirai joined forces in a power-sharing government
last month under intense pressure from regional leaders to end the
nation's political and economic crisis following violence-marred
elections last year.


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