Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai says the road collision that killed his wife and injured him last week was accident. Mr. Tsvangirai spoke to reporters Monday March 9, after returning to his home in Harare following medical treatment in neighboring Botswana.
Zimbabwe's Prime Minister says he does not suspect foul play in the car accident that killed his wife Susan.
"In this case I want to assure you that if there was any foul play then it is probably one in a thousand," he said. "It was an accident that unfortunately took a life."
Police say 50-year-old Susan Tsvangirai was killed March 6 after the couple's Toyota Land Cruiser collided with a truck carrying U.S. aid on the outskirts of the capital. The vehicle flipped over several times.
The accident happened on a notoriously dangerous road, and state television reported the truck swerved into the Land Cruiser after hitting an uneven section of the highway.
Hours after the accident, speculation surfaced that the crash may have been intentional. The rumors were fueled in part by Zimbabwe's long history of political violence, including several assassination attempts on Mr. Tsvangirai life.
Outside his home, Mr.Tsvangirai said a public ceremony to celebrate his wife's life is being held Tuesday which is his 57th birthday. The funeral will take place on Wednesday. The couple had been married for more than three decades and have six children.
Spokesman for Mr. Tsvangirai James Maridadi said family and friends told him that his wife would have wanted him to continue to be a leader in Zimbabwe.
"He has made a commitment that he will continue to soldier on for the struggle for democracy and unity and that is the best he can do for his departed wife," Maridadi said.
Mr. Tsvangirai formed a power-sharing government with President Robert Mugabe last month. The two men were under intense pressure from regional leaders to end Zimbabwe's political crisis, stemming from violence-marred elections last year.
Mr. Tsvangirai, who received medical treatment in Botswana, is still recovering from head and neck injuries. And since the accident, security around the prime minister has been increased.
Tsvangirai's party has called for an investigation into Friday's crash and said the accident could have been avoided had he been afforded the kind of motorcade that usually travels with President Mugabe.
