Morgan Tsvangirai injured and wife killed in car crash

Published on Friday 6 March 2009 19:08

THE Foreign Office tonight expressed "deep sadness" at news that Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's wife Susan had been killed in a car crash.

A spokeswoman said the UK Government offered its condolences and was tracking developments closely.

"We are deeply saddened to hear news of Susan Tsvangirai's death and we offer our condolences," she added.

"We are monitoring the situation closely."

Mrs Tsvangirai was travelling to the south of Harare with her husband for a political rally when their car was apparently hit by a truck.

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader is believed to have escaped with minor injuries.

Mr Tsvangirai was only appointed Prime Minister last month after hammering out a power-sharing deal with bitter rival Robert Mugabe – who has been the country's president since independence from Britain in 1980.

The deal was meant to end almost a year of deadly stalemate with Mugabe, as the country suffered economic turmoil and a devastating cholera outbreak.

The crash comes at a crucial time for the unity government, just two days after 57-year-old Mr Tsvangirai delivered his maiden speech to parliament as PM.

He and his wife Susan, who were married in 1978, had six children. She preferred to stay out of the limelight, but appeared by his side when he was charged with treason for opposing Mr Mugabe and put on trial.

Mr Tsvangirai is said still to rely on his own security personnel – suggesting he is not confident in the loyalty of government teams.

However, the roads in Zimbabwe are notoriously dangerous. There have been unconfirmed reports that the driver of a lorry involved in the crash was asleep at the wheel.

An aide in the prime minister's car was also hurt, but not seriously.

Mr Tsvangirai was transferred to a clinic in the capital, Harare, for treatment.