ZANU PF has described the late veteran trade unionist and opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, as “a national institution” and “beacon of democracy”.
Tsvangirai died aged 65 at a South African hospital on 14 February 2018 after a long battle with colon cancer.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare on Monday, 14 February 2022, ZANU PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa said:
Tsvangirai was a national institution and his name and the MDC party were equally a beacon for the fight in Zimbabwe for what is just and what is democratic, now the name disappears in history, now Tsvangirai is gone, replaced by Chete Chete Chete and the name MDC is gone too, finished just like that can you imagine.
Nelson Chamisa, who succeeded Tsvangirai as MDC-T leader under controversial circumstances in 2018 but now leads Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) said on Twitter:
A giant, a mentor, a fighter, a democrat and a confidante — this day you exited this life.
They are still trying those old tactics they used against you. They will not succeed. The struggle is in safe hands. Sadly missed. Rest in power mudhara (old man).
CCC national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said that they will ensure that Tsvangirai’s dream of attaining a democratic Zimbabwe will be fulfilled. She said:
This is the best honour we can give to his legacy. We will not allow the regime to consume or use us to fight the will of the people.
We will ensure that we complete the mission of attaining a democratic Zimbabwe. One day, Zimbabwe will be free.
The spokesperson for the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe, Ntando Ndlovu described Tsvangirai as a man of the people. Ndlovu said:
There is no debate that Tsvangirai deserves his own space in the national narrative for the significant role he played in shaping the country’s post-liberation politics.
We remember him as a leader who was able to listen to everyone regardless of their social status. He was, indeed, a man of the people.
We implore all pro-democracy forces to form a united front to remove Zanu PF from power.
That is the tribute that we can give to our late departed leader.
Tsvangirai was named Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister in 2009 after protracted negotiations with then president, the late Robert Mugabe.
The Government of National Unity that was formed following a Global Political Agreement (GPA) helped to bring political and economic stability to the country.