Tsvangirai's wife killed in car crash

The wife of Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was killed in a car crash today.

Susan Tsvangirai was travelling to the south of Harare with her husband for a political rally when their car was apparently hit by a truck.

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader is believed to have escaped with minor injuries.

Mr Tsvangirai was only appointed prime minister last month after hammering out a power-sharing deal with bitter rival Robert Mugabe – who has been the country’s president since independence from Britain in 1980.

The deal was meant to end almost a year of deadly stalemate with Mugabe, as the country suffered economic turmoil and a devastating cholera outbreak.

The crash comes at a crucial time for the unity government, just two days after 57-year-old Mr Tsvangirai delivered his maiden speech to parliament as PM.

He and his wife, who were married in 1978, had six children. She preferred to stay out of the limelight, but appeared by his side when he was charged with treason for opposing Mr Mugabe and put on trial.

Mr Tsvangirai is said still to rely on his own security personnel – suggesting he is not confident in the loyalty of government teams.

However, the roads in Zimbabwe are notoriously dangerous. There have been unconfirmed reports that the driver of a lorry involved in the crash was asleep at the wheel.

An aide in the prime minister’s car was also hurt, but not seriously.

Mr Tsvangirai was transferred to a clinic in the capital, Harare, for treatment.

Mr Mugabe later arrived at the hospital in the capital where Mr Tsvangirai was taken. He did not speak to reporters or Tsvangirai supporters gathered outside.