Zimbabwe
Zim opposition leader speaks out on in-party murder

afrol News, 22 July - The leader of the MDC opposition party, Morgan Tsvangirai, yesterday "unreservedly condemn all forms of violence whether domestic or public." The party leader was responding to a murder within the party that had shocked the nation; MDC spokesman Learnmore Jongwe had stabbed his wife Rutendo.

- The tragic events around the Jongwe family have left the nation and us all in the party with a sense of shock, Tsvangirai said. "On behalf of the party, I want to express deep sorrow and sadness at the loss of Rutendo, the wife of the party's spokesman, Mr Learnmore Jongwe. We wish to let the families of Rutendo and Jongwe know that we share their pain and that they will be in our minds throughout their moment of bereavement." 

The party "unreservedly condemn all forms of violence," he continued. "It is our hope that the police and the other arms of the law will, in a professional manner, take appropriate action to ensure that justice is done in this case. In deed, we pray that justice be done." 

MDC spokesman and Member of Parliament Jongwe had turned himself in to the Harare police after he first had stabbed his wife and later unsuccessfully had tried to commit suicide. According to Mr Jongwe's lawyer, Jonathan Samkange, the incident however was not a murder case, as he had been under the affect of an "extreme provocation." The independent 'Daily News' quoted Samkange reporting of Mr Jongwe catching his wife "engaging in a sexual act." 

The stabbing of Mrs Jongwe has upset both the affected families and the political scene in Zimbabwe. Both representatives of the MDC and of the ruling ZANU-PF party praised the young Mr Jongwe for his political skills, but mostly regretted the personal tragedy behind the event. 

MDC leader Tsvangirai urged "the two families to accept the reality of the tragedy and recognise the need for finding an amicable accommodation between them and therefore allow an atmosphere to lay Rutendo to rest in peace." 

Mr Jongwe was detained at the police station will appear in court within short time. His political career will have been closed regardless of the result of the trial expecting him. 

Sources: Based on MDC and afrol archives

 

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