PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has dismissed reports that he was barred from the African Union (AU) Golden Jubilee celebrations summit in Ethiopia, insisting that he cancelled the trip because of the sudden illness of his wife, Elizabeth Macheka.
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The State media last week reported that the AU had snubbed the premier from attending the celebrations because it was only meant for the Heads of State and Government.
However, the premier’s office yesterday said Tsvangirai did what every responsible husband would do, given the condition of his wife.
Tsvangirai’s spokesman, Luke Tamborinyoka said the State media has gone ballistic in its attacks of the premier.
“The Prime minister was going to the African Union but because of the sudden illness in the family, Amai Tsvangirai vakarwara [Mrs Tsvangirai got ill], he cancelled his trip,” said Tamborinyoka. “The principals on Monday discussed this issue. The President [Robert Mugabe] was actually very confident that the three of them should go to the AU summit, which is why the President and the Deputy Prime Minister are already in Addis attending the AU summit.”
Tamborinyoka, who could not divulge the nature of illness, said the premier’s wife was recovering.
He said the continental body was aware of the visit by the three principals in the inclusive government because the arrangement is a peculiar one.
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“The AU is aware of the unique circumstance in Zimbabwe because they are the guarantors and curators of our inclusive government. The PM was not barred by anyone which explains the presence of the other two principals in Addis.”
Under pressure from the Southern African Development Community and AU, Tsvangirai and Mugabe formed a power-sharing government in 2009 to mend an inflation-ravaged economy and avoid a political melt-down, after a bloody presidential run-off election.
The MDC-T has said at least 200 of its supporters were killed by State security agents and Zanu PF youth militia.
Tamborinyoka said Tsvangirai had scheduled and confirmed meetings in Ethiopia with other Heads of States. He said the Prime Minister was supposed to meet President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, President Joyce Banda of Malawi and President Michael Sata of Zambia.
