Unwell Tsvangirai off to South Africa again

Gone for a review? MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai

Tsvangirai, who boarded a South African Airways flight 23, was accompanied by two aides, Elizabeth Gama and Vongai Chadyendiya, sources said.

The former Prime Minister last week failed to attend a rally organised by his party against poverty and corruption in Mutare. Tsvangirai had to address thousands of marchers and party supporters through a cellphone which was connected to the PA system.

He told his supporters that he was recovering well at his Harare home, promising to “join” them “soon” as he was with them “in the struggle”.

Contacted for comment, MDC-T national spokesperson, Obert Gutu, said “kindly get in touch with Luke Tamborinyoka who speaks on behalf of President Morgan Tsvangirai”.

A series of calls to Tamborinyoka’s phone went unanswered until his son said “dad ain’t around”, advising this reporter to call back “after 25 minutes”. When Newzimbabwe called after 25 minutes the phone went unanswered again. A WhatsApp message was also unanswered.

But a party source insisted that Tsvangirai was going for review. A few ago, MDC-T Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora, confirmed that Tsvangirai had travelled to South Africa on the advice of his doctors to receive treatment without disclosing his boss’s illness.

A local daily was to report that Tsvangirai had been diagnosed with stomach cancer.