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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Mugabe calls crash 'hand of God' | Mugabe calls crash 'hand of God' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| President Robert Mugabe has told hundreds of mourners at a mourning service for Susan Tsvangirai the crash that killed her was the "hand of God". | |
| The veteran leader also said political violence should be a thing of the past. | The veteran leader also said political violence should be a thing of the past. |
| Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's wife died on Friday in a collision with an aid lorry in which he was injured. | Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's wife died on Friday in a collision with an aid lorry in which he was injured. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 'Why, why, why?' | 'Why, why, why?' |
| 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." | 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." |
| We are sincerely saddened by the death of Susan and we hope that Morgan will remain strong Robert Mugabe Mourning in pictures | We are sincerely saddened by the death of Susan and we hope that Morgan will remain strong Robert Mugabe Mourning in pictures |
| His closest aide, Finance Minister Tendai Biti, said: "We're so traumatised, brutalised, we couldn't feel the pain. Why, why, why?" | His closest aide, Finance Minister Tendai Biti, said: "We're so traumatised, brutalised, we couldn't feel the pain. Why, why, why?" |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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." | 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." |
| Mr Mugabe continued: "We are sincerely saddened by the death of Susan and we hope that Morgan will remain strong." | Mr Mugabe continued: "We are sincerely saddened by the death of Susan and we hope that Morgan will remain strong." |
| 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. | 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' |
| The body of Mrs Tsvangirai rested in a flower-draped coffin during the service, attended by her husband and children. | The body of Mrs Tsvangirai rested in a flower-draped coffin during the service, attended by her husband and children. |
| 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. | 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. | 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 | 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 has said the truck in the crash was part of an aid project 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". |