Tsvangirai Heads Home for Wife's Funeral

Supporters feared Mugabe power grab in his absence
By Ambreen Ali,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 9, 2009 1:28 AM CDT

Grieving Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is expected back in Zimbabwe today to attend his wife's funeral, days after the couple's car was hit by a US aid truck. Tsvangirai had left for Botswana—home of his closest regional ally—shortly after the accident that some believe may have been an attempt on his life, reports the Times of London. But his party colleagues urged him to return, fearing President Robert Mugabe's party would make a new power grab without him.

Mere days can be a "a long time in Zimbabwean politics," said a Tsvangirai supporter. Mugabe's party "may even be celebrating the tragedy. They will probably be ordering full steam ahead on their agenda, and will take full advantage of Tsvangirai's absence.”
(More Morgan Tsvangirai stories.)

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