HARARE Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai last week said Zimbabwes late Vice President Joseph Msika, who died in Harare last Wednesday, was a voice of reason in the countrys fragile coalition government. (Pictured:Prime Minister Tsvangirai)He has left a legacy. He was one of the senior people in politics who had the voice of reason, Tsvangirai told mourners at the veteran nationalists home in Harare.
Msika, a nationalist leader and who was the most senior surviving member of the former PF ZAPU party that merged with President Robert Mugabes Zanu (PF) party in 1987, was one of the previous governments moderate politicians who clashed with his counterparts especially at the height of the land invasions.
Msika was among a few senior Zanu (PF) officials to speak openly against the often violent seizure of white-owned farms for redistribution to landless blacks which started in 2000 and has reduced Zimbabwe from a breadbasket to a basket case.
Tsvangirai said he had a cordial relationship with Msika since the formation of an inclusive government with Zanu (PF) last February, that is seen as offering the country its best opportunity in a decade to wriggle out of economic and political crisis.
But Tsvangirais MDC party accuses Mugabe of flouting last years power-sharing agreement that gave birth to the new administration as shown by the veteran leaders refusal to rescind his unilateral appointment of Gideon Gono and Johannes Tomana to the key posts of central bank governor and attorney general.
In a statement issued last week by its secretary general, Tendai Biti, the MDC expressed shock at Msikas death saying the country had lost a true revolutionary and a selfless leader who spent more than half his life fighting for the liberation of our country.
He has died in the phase of hope for the country he dearly loved; hope emanating from the formation of an inclusive government which has given Zimbabweans an opportunity for national healing and reconciliation, the MDC said.
Meanwhile Tsvangirai was warmly received at the late Vice Presidents Mandara home, when he visited the place last Thursday. Tsvangirai was welcomed by Zanu (PF) ministers John Nkomo (National Healing and Reconciliation), Walter Mzembi (Tourism) and Florah Bhuka, Minister of State in the late vice presidents office.
One of Msikas sons who addressed mourners said: We are lucky that our father was vice president and now our brother is prime minister.
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