28 April 2010
MDC STATEMENT
Prime Minister and Head of Government Mr Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday consoled the Gasela and Mlambo families following the tragic passing in a motor car accident of Mr Renson Gasela and Mr Lyson Mlambo and 8 other officials of the MDC party led by Deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Mutambara.
Prime Minister Tsvangirai visited the Renson Gasela Farm in lower Gweru and later the same evening went to the Mlambo family home in Mkoba Village 12. Addressing mourners at the Mlambo family home, Prime Minister Tsvangirai retraced his friendship with Lyson Mlambo to 1988 when they first met at Midlands Hotel in Gweru at a Trade Union congress. Tsvangirai was representing the Associated Mine Workers Union while Mlambo was a branch leader of the Urban Councils Union then led by former Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Mrs Florence Chitauro.
It was at that congress that a 36 year old Morgan Tsvangirai was elected Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions then led by Mr Jerry Mutandare as President.
In his speech which was met with deafening applause, Prime Minister Tsvangirai said: "Political differences notwithstanding, the fact that we are all Zimbabweans is what should bring us together. We differed politically with Lyson in 2005 but that does not change the illustrious role he played in an endeavour to bring about democratic change in Zimbabwe. I am here to say to Lyson you lived a fruitful life and it is time for you to take a well deserved rest. Go well old man."
The Prime Minister took that opportunity to denounce politically motivated violence and made a passionate appeal to people in Gweru to participate in the constitution making process.
The Prime Minister's speech was punctuated with applause from an appreciative crowd that had gotten wind of his impending visit. One mourner, shouting in a deep Karanga accent summed up the mood of the crowd as the Prime Minister concluded his delivery,"Save dotihwirai ngoni takarashika kare zviya."Prime Minister please have mercy on your lost flock." He was probably referring to the MDC split of 2005.
MDC STATEMENT
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