Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai Injured in auto accident

March 6, 2:57 PMForeign Policy ExaminerAimee Kligman

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Morgan & Susan Tsvangirai (AP Photo/file)

The tragic auto accident occurred when the driver of the car carrying the Prime Minister, his wife and another aid collided with a truck about 40 miles south of Harare, Zimbabwe's capital. Susan Tsvangirai, the Prime Minister's wife was killed, and the accident left Morgan Tsvangirai injured.

All of the passengers in the car are reported to be hospitalized in Harare.

AP reports that President Robert Mugabe had indeed arrived at the hospital  Friday evening, and did not address reporters or any of Tsvangirai's supporters.

The couple, along with an aide, were traveling to a weekend rally. There are conflicting reports from the region as to the death of the Prime Minister's wife. However, 37 minutes ago, Radio Netherlands did confirm Susan Tsvangirai's death. The couple has been married for 30 years and have six children.

On February 11, 2009, Mugabe and Tsvangirai agreed to a power sharing deal in a unity government. Tsvangirai led the opposition against Mugabe for many years before arriving at this agreement. He escaped death and personal injuries at the hands of Mugabe's thugs more than once. Many of Tsvangirai's supporters are still jailed on charges that they sought to overthrow the Mugabe government.

Mugabe has ruled the country ruthlessly and has brought it to the brink of starvation, and at one time denied that a cholera epidemic had broken out in Zimbabwe. Nearly 4000 people have died since last summer, and more than 80,000 have been affected by the disease.