Fresh tragedy strikes Zimbabwe PM

PHOTO

Mr Tsvangirai at the recent funeral of his wife, Susan. [Reuters]

Andrew Geoghegan, Africa correspondent

Last Updated: Mon, 6 Apr 2009 11:19:00 +1000

Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is coming to terms with a second personal tragedy in a month.

Mr Tsvangirai returned to work last week while still mourning the death of his wife, Susan, in a car accident in March.

Now he is having to deal with another shocking death in the family.

His two-year-old grandson, Sean, drowned in the swimming pool at Mr Tsvangirai's home in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Saturday.

The Prime Minister was in Victoria Falls at the time.

Ministers from Zimbabwe's unity government were meeting to discuss an ambitious 100-day recovery plan for the country.

He has flown back to Harare to be with his family.

Proposals for economy

At the meeting of ministers, government members put aside their differences to commit to a renewal plan for the ailing country.

The program includes plans for rebuilding the economy, ending restrictions on foreign media and restoring human rights.

The Justice Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, says the government also wants to mend ties with the west, after years of isolation under President Robert Mugabe.

Observers at the meeting say the country's former rivals appear to be getting along well, but there is scepticism the plan's goals can be met in such a short timeframe.