Tsvangirai memorial to be a family affair- no party regalia

The memorial service of late Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who was Prime Minister of Zimbabwe from 2009 to 2013, will be a family affair and no party regalia will be allowed.

The family has invited all political leaders including President Emmerson Mnangagwa of the Zimbabwe African National Union.

It is not yet clear whether Mnangagwa will attend the memorial which will be held this Saturday in Buhera.

The memorial service provides a unique opportunity for Mnangagwa to meet MDC leader Nelson Chamisa who has so far refused to recognise Mnangagwa as President.

Tsvangirai’s brother Manasa said yesterday the only regalia that will be permitted is that of Dr Morgan Tsvangirai.

“The emphasis is that we have invited everyone; this is not a partisan thing and on top of that we expect people to come putting what reminds us of Morgan Tsvangirai,” Manasa said according to Newsday.

“There is no any other regalia that should be put on except that of Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai. This is a memorial, we expect the event to be peaceful in Buhera.

“We are expecting different people from the State departments, different political parties and different people from other institutions…..

“I think people should actually respect the Tsvangirai family and we are saying it’s better you put Morgan Tsvangirai regalia because we are remembering him as a person who has gone before us.

“To the family, I think it will be like an insult to try and put on something that doesn’t resemble him. We will encourage people to put on something about Morgan Tsvangirai for those few hours.”

Tsvangirai died on 14 February last year after a battle with cancer but the memorial was postponed to this week to allow people to mourn those killed during the January price hike demonstrations.

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