Sympathy and scepticism
On Friday 6 March, we sent a text message to over 5,000 subscribers, to let them know that Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his wife Susan had been in a car crash that left him injured and Susan dead.
While Tsvangirai has publically stated that he believes the crash was a genuine accident, Zimbabwean politics has a long history of opposition leaders dying in car crashes. So it was unsurprising that the responses we received expressed a mixture of shock, grief, sympathy, and scepticism.
Of the 63 messages we received in response, 24 were from people seeking more information – asking questions like was it true, and could they have more details. 17 people sent text messages asking whether the “accident” was really an accident – or foul play. And 22 people sent their condolence messages to Morgan Tsvangirai and his family, in sympathy for his loss.
These are some of the messages we received:
Any chance of foul play?
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D0 u think this iz a genuine ac-dnt?
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Have these accidents start again. Very sorry that the prime minister lost his wife at this hour.
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How can a driver fall asleep at 4pm the driver is a murderer and there is need for tight and reliable security around am sorry my sympathy 2 the Hon Prime Minister and his entire family . A lot of questions remain unanswered.
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I felt angry with this sad news. I think its an assassination plot by Zanu PF
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I mourn with the Tsvangirai family on the sad loss of Mrs Susan Tsvangirai. I was greatly disheartened by the news. The PM never walks alone for we are with him.
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Its soro +shocking 2 learn Susan’s death. Its good 4M 2no we’re together
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Its very sad. These are the works of ZANU PF. All opposition ministers must exercise extreme caution or otherwise Robert will wipe them off. Greatly disturbed.
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My condolence msg to the Tsvangirais and may the PM recover in the soonest.
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My deepest sympathy to the first family. Susan was a role model to both young and ladies.R.I.P.
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Sad story. A clear sign of an attempt to kill him.
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Sori to the Tsvangirai family and the whole nation. May the Lord have mercy to her soul.
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Strange accident cumz soon afta Politburo mtng. ZPF’s done it. If they killed Manyika & others of their own wat can stop them killing Morgi – a thorn in their flesh?
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We convey our heart felt condolences to MTand family on his sad loss. We hope that God gives them fortitude at the moment of their extreame grief and pain
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We receive this news with great shock
The Prime Minister’s office is also accepting condolence messages on their website