Addressing a press conference soon after a national executive meetingin Harare today, MDC Secretary-General and Minister of Finance HonTendai Biti said the late Mrs Tsvangirai was a pillar of strength tothe Prime Minister and to the broad membership of the MDC.
"She was a pillar of strength. The decisions the party took sometimeshad the refining wisdom that came from Mrs Tsvangirai," said Hon Biti.
Mrs Tsvangirai died in a horrific car accident in Beatrice in which thePrime Minister and MDC President escaped with injuries. He is in astable condition and is recovering at Avenues Clinic in Harare.
"She was always there for the President and for the party. The accidenttook place within a context of joy and celebration. The MDC Presidentcelebrates his 57th birthday on Tuesday," said Hon Biti.
"She was a people’s hero. She was a mother to us and to our struggle."
The MDC Secretary-general, who broke down several times during thepress conference, said the accident could have been avoided if policeescort had been provided.
"Logic would have demanded that police escort be provided to the PrimeMinister to warn other traffic and this tragedy could have beenavoided."
Hon Biti said police investigations were underway but stressed that theparty would carry out an independent investigation into the cause ofthe accident. The party will be making further announcements on thismatter in due course, he said.
Mrs Tsvangirai has stood side by side with the MDC Presiden since theirmarriage in 1976. Burial arrangements will be announced in due course.
Hon Biti said the Prime Minister was in a stable condition. He said thelate Mrs Tsvangirai had stood side by side with her husband throughouthis various ordeals, including the treason charges and the brutalassault of 11 March 2007.
The MDC is working with the Tsvangirai family to give Mrs Tsvangirai abefitting send-off. Burial arrangements will be announced in due courseas some of her children are outside the country.
MDC Information and Publicity Department
Post published in: News