The rival who challenged Mugabe loses cancer fight

ZIMBABWe’S main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai died last night after a battle with cancer.

elections are scheduled in the country in August, less than a year after former president Robert Mugabe resigned under pressure from the military and ruling party.

Mr Tsvangirai, pictured, had dominated the opposition for close to two decades since forming the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party in 1999. He announced he had colon cancer in 2016.

Mr Tsvangirai had been the main challenger to the ruling ZANU-PF party.

Mugabe’s government detained Mr Tsvangirai on numerous occasions over his vocal criticism of the regime. Security forces swooped in 1989 after Mr Tsvangirai bluntly warned about the rising tide of political repression in the country.

He also claimed to have been the target of four assassination attempts – including one in 1997 in which he said attackers attempted to throw him out of his office window. elias Mudzuri, an MDC vicepresident, said yesterday: ‘It is sad for me to announce that we have lost our icon and fighter for democracy.’

Just over a week ago the 65-year- old opposition leader had denied he was critically ill after being admitted to hospital in neighbouring South Africa.

A posting on his Twitter feed said on February 6: ‘I am shocked to read in the press that I am in a critical condition. Of course I have cancer and not feeling too well but I am stable and the process is under control. I am recovering.’

Mr Tsvangirai’s death leaves his party with a decision to make over its next leader. Three deputies and other officials have publicly been manoeuvring to succeed the former trade union leader since his illness was revealed.