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Mugabe leads Tsvangirai mourners Mugabe calls crash 'hand of God'
(19 minutes later)
President Robert Mugabe has told hundreds of mourners at a funeral service for Susan Tsvangirai that violence should be a thing of the past. President Robert Mugabe has told hundreds of mourners at a funeral service for Susan Tsvangirai the crash that killed her was the "hand of God".
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's wife died on Friday in a crash in which he was injured. The veteran leader also said political violence should be a thing of the past.
Most of Zimbabwe's unity cabinet attended the service in the capital Harare, on the eve of her burial. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's wife died on Friday in a collision with an aid lorry in which he was injured.
About 20,000 people gathered afterwards for a memorial to the 50-year-old mother-of-six at an arena in the city. Most of the new unity cabinet attended the service in the capital Harare, on the eve of her burial. Afterwards, some 20,000 gathered for a stadium memorial.
Mr Tsvangirai spoke at Glamis Stadium last month after being sworn in as prime minister. Large portraits of the 50-year-old mother-of-six hung around Glamis Stadium, where her husband spoke last month after being sworn in as prime minister.
'Hand of God' 'Why, why, why?'
Mr Mugabe made his first public comments on last week's fatal crash, reportedly telling mourners at Tuesday's church service: "I plead with you to accept it, it's the hand of God." Mr Tsvangirai, who turned 57 on Tuesday, reportedly briefly addressed the crowd to say: "Let's celebrate her existence as God's gift to me and you."
Suspicions have swirled over Mrs Tsvangirai's death given past acrimony between the prime minister and president. We are sincerely saddened by the death of Susan and we hope that Morgan will remain strong Robert Mugabe
But Mr Tsvangirai said on Monday it was unlikely foul play took a part in the collision, which involved an aid lorry. His ally, Finance Minister Tendai Biti, said: "We're so traumatised, brutalised, we couldn't feel the pain. Why, why, why?"
Many mourners have already visited the Tsvangirai family home Suspicions have swirled over Mrs Tsvangirai's death given past acrimony between the prime minister and president, although Mr Tsvangirai said on Monday it was unlikely foul play was involved.
Mr Mugabe also reportedly told mourners: "We are doing our best that we create a conducive environment and tell our supporters that the issue of violence must end." In his first public comments on the crash, Mr Mugabe told Tuesday's church service: "I plead with you to accept it, it's the hand of God."
The veteran leader's supporters were accused of launching deadly attacks on opposition activists during last year's elections. Mr Mugabe continued: "We are sincerely saddened by the death of Susan and we hope that Morgan will remain strong."
"Rest assured we are with you, honourable prime minister. Our hearts on this day and the days to follow, we are with you," he added, according to AFP news agency. The 85-year-old leader, whose supporters were accused of launching deadly attacks on opposition activists during last year's elections, added that the environment in the country should not be conducive to violence.
'Life goes on''Life goes on'
Most of the cabinet in the new power-sharing administration between Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF and Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) attended the service at a Methodist church. The body of Mrs Tsvangirai rested in a flower-draped coffin during the service, attended by her husband and children.
Mrs Tsvangirai, who kept largely away from the political limelight, is to be buried near the couple's rural home in Buhera, Manicaland Province, on Wednesday. Most of the new administration which shares power between Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF and Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) were also present at the Methodist church.
Mrs Tsvangirai, who kept largely away from the political limelight, is to be buried on Wednesday near the couple's rural home in Buhera, Manicaland Province.
Many mourners have already visited the Tsvangirai family home
The driver of the truck that hit the couple's car has been charged with culpable homicide.The driver of the truck that hit the couple's car has been charged with culpable homicide.
Chinoona Mwanda, 35, who was bailed on Monday, is to plead not guilty, blaming the collision on the poor state of the road, his lawyer said.Chinoona Mwanda, 35, who was bailed on Monday, is to plead not guilty, blaming the collision on the poor state of the road, his lawyer said.
In spite of his bereavement, Mr Tsvangirai said on Monday "life had to go on".In spite of his bereavement, Mr Tsvangirai said on Monday "life had to go on".
The Tsvangirais, who had been married for 31 years, were travelling to Buhera when the crash occurred near Beatrice on Friday afternoon.The Tsvangirais, who had been married for 31 years, were travelling to Buhera when the crash occurred near Beatrice on Friday afternoon.
Mr Mugabe and his wife Grace visited Mr Tsvangirai's bedside hours after the crash as he was treated for minor injuries at a private clinic in the capital.Mr Mugabe and his wife Grace visited Mr Tsvangirai's bedside hours after the crash as he was treated for minor injuries at a private clinic in the capital.
The British foreign ministry said the truck in the crash was part of an aid project jointly funded by the US and UK and it appeared to be "a genuine accident". The British foreign ministry has said the truck in the crash was part of an aid project and it appeared to be "a genuine accident".