Zimbabwe opposition leader Tsvangirai laid to rest

Former Zimbabwe Prime Minister and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was buried at his rural home in Buhera on Tuesday.

Tsvangirai died aged 65 in South Africa last week after a long battle with cancer.

His burial was attended by thousands of Zimbabweans, foreign diplomats and representatives of opposition political parties from African countries including the Democratic Alliance of South Africa and the Orange Democratic of Kenya, among others.

Zanu-PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri who spoke on behalf of the ruling party and government said the nation had lost a man who was instrumental in bringing a new constitution and democracy, the state broadcaster ZBC reported.

Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic of Kenya said both Kenya and Zimbabwe had suffered a huge loss with the passing of Tsvangirai.

MCD-T acting president Nelson Chamisa called on the warring MDC leadership to be united. The party leaders are squabbling over who should succeed Tsvangirai who founded and led the opposition Movement for Democratic Change for 18 years.

Other speakers at the burial ceremony described Tsvangirai as a brave and shrewd tactician who fought against all odds to bring a democratic dispensation in Zimbabwe.

Tsvangirai was given a state assisted funeral and the government has promised to settle his medical bills.