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Susan Tsvangirai, the wife of Morgan Tsvangirai, was killed in a car accident yesterday in Zimbabwe, while Morgan Tsvangirai survived.  Tsvangirai is the head of the Movement for Democratic Change party, the opposition to President Mugabe.  Last month, the two formed a unity government, with Tsvangirai as Prime Minister, the only compromise that could be made as Mugabe was determined to stay in power.

I’ve written about the Zimbabwe crisis over the past few months, but to summarize, the once prosperous African nation is facing a cholera epidemic, without an adequate health care system to solve it, an inflation rate of 231,000,000%, and all the strings attached to hunger and poverty.  Just after Tsvangirai was sworn in as PM, there was an attack on all the white farmers by armed militia’s.  A move Mugabe has backed before to “redistribute” the land to the people, although, previously, the land ended up being given to his associates, and led to the lowered agricultural productivity and failed economy of today.  Because the country needs help, Mugabe was willing to ally himself with his rival so the international community will be more likely to step in with assistance.

Although no one is accusing any foul play in the accident, of course there is suspicion.  The accident happened when a freight lorry moved into the lane that Tsvangirai was in, knocking the PM’s 4×4 off the road and caused it to roll over.  The lorry actually is owned by an organization associated with USAID.  Zimbabwe road’s are terrible, which could have easily contributed to the crash.  Also, Tsvangirai wasn’t traveling with an escort vehicle, which could have protected him and his wife.

Mugabe and his wife came to visit Tsvangirai in the hospital.  Investigations have already begun.  For now, Tsvangirai has left the country for Botswana, where he can rest and mourn the loss of his wife.   

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