Zimbabwean Involved in Tsvangirai Crash Bailed

by Rob Walker | March 9, 2009 at 05:23 am

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The lorry driver who was behind the wheel when he crashed into the car of Zimbabwe's prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai, killing Tsvangirai's wife, has been granted bail.

While Tsvangirai was injured and his wife, Susan, died in the collision, the Zimbabwean prime minister says the accident was most likely not an attempt on his life.

Chinoona Mwanda, 35, had been planning to plead not guilty to a charge of culpable homicide. But he was asked not to plead at Monday's hearing. The lorry driver says the poor condition of the road was to blame.

People have been paying their respects to Mrs Tsvangirai.

In Harare, thousands of people from the townships have been walking long distances to the prime minister's home in Strathaven, a western suburb of the capital, to pay their respects to Mrs Tsvangirai.

Mr Tsvangirai said he had returned to Harare to resume work because that was what his wife would have wanted.

"I want to thank God for giving me 31 years with my wife," he said.

"We know that we shall all die, but let's celebrate the life of Susan because we have gone through trials and tribulations together," he said.

A rally is due to take place at the Glamis Stadium in Harare on Tuesday to pay tribute to Mrs Tsvangirai on the eve of her burial.

NowPublic staffer Jordan posted on Tsvangirai leaving hospital to lead the nation in mourning his wife:

Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai left hospital to lead the nation in mourning the death of his wife, Susan, with whom he has six children, following a car crash on March 6.