Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java, the daughter of the late founding president of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Morgan Tsvangirai, has died.
Tsvangira-Java, who was the MDC lawmaker for GlenView South, succumbed to injuries she sustained in a road traffic accident near Kwekwe that claimed the life of two other members of the opposition party now led by Nelson Chamisa.
In a statement, the party said, “The MDC has learned with shock the sad passing on of Hon Vimbai Tsvangirai – Java this afternoon. The eldest daughter of our late icon Dr Morgan Tsvangirai, Hon Java was the recently elected Women's Assembly Secretary General and a Member of Parliament for GlenView South.
“She recently sustained injuries in an accident which claimed two other cadres while traveling from a Provincial Caucus in Bulawayo. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. May Her Soul Rest in Peace.”
Paul Rukanda, who was Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java’s campaign manager, and a relative, Tafadzwa Mhundwa, died in the accident near Truckers Inn.
Her father died of cancer of the colon last year and her mother in a road traffic accident in 2009.
Zimbabweans on social media have expressed sadness over the death of late Vimbai Tsvangirai Java, with law lecturer, Alex Magaisa, saying Morgan Tsvangirai had a lot of faith in her.
In a tweet, Magaisa said, “Sad to hear that Vimbai Tsvangirai Java is no more. She was the one Morgan Tsvangirai thought would carry the family torch in politics after him. A bright career had just begun before a cruel wind came. You fought tenaciously Masiziba but it was not to be. May God bless your soul.”
In another tweet, opposition Labor Economists and Africa Democrats (LEAD) party leader, Linda Masarira, said her death was devastating. “My heartfelt condolences to the Tsvangirai family and @MDCAllianceZW on the death of @VTsvangirayi May the good Lord comfort you during this trying time. Rest In Power Vimbai #RIPVimbaiTsvangirai.”