I AM still puzzled and perplexed by Eddie Cross's narration of the events of the crash that killed Mrs Susan Tsvangirai and left the Prime Minister badly hurt.
Cross made the headlines in the last few months over his "crash and burn" article; but that is not the gist of this piece.
He told the New York Times newspaper a day after the crash that it had not been an accident, and said the MDC-T party will not accept a police report. Besides being preposterous, Cross sounded like he had some insider information about the accident. I will not ask questions as to why the New York Times newspaper had an interview with Cross, and not the party spokesman, Nelson Chamisa. This is a matter between Cross and that newspaper.
However, I am yet to hear of someone who gets to the scene of the accident from 10 kilometres away, before the police, and climbs the top of the accident vehicle to take pictures, before attempting to rescue the victims. This is what Mr Deon Theron, the Deputy President of the Commercial Farmers' Union, did on that fateful day.
He examined the vehicle; but did not "rescue" the victims -- the high profile victims. It is worrisome that it was more important for Mr Theron to take footage, rather than try and rescue the victims.
We know that Mrs Tsvangirai was badly hurt at that juncture, and so was the Prime Minister. Why did Mr Theron not attend to them? Surely that would have been the reason why he rushed to the site? Or was it? If not, does this say something about the judgment of Mr Theron, or his attitude to "accident victims"?
It is also shocking to discover that Cross had more specific details about the "burst front tyre", the "loose under-carriage as a result of the accident", and other accident details; but no information on the state of the victims, Mr and Mrs Tsvangirai, when he spoke to the New York Times. Anyone who has had an opportunity to visit an accident site immediately after the accident would tell you that the state of the vehicle is never on their mind -- the condition of the victim(s) is. But not Mr Theron who preferred to climb the overturned vehicle and take pictures.
Was Mr Theron not at least concerned that an overturned vehicle could burst into flames and kill him, or the victims? I am sure Mr Theron would have seen the Prime Minister or his wife lying down somewhere, or would have at least known that the inhabitants of the car were the Tsvangirai's as he had previously communicated with whoever informed him about the accident (see below). Why then was he less concerned about the welfare of the Prime Minister and his wife, and more concerned about "the scene of the accident"?
Mr Theron's version of the accident, which is disputed by other eyewitnesses, could not have been accurate. Dennis Murira, director of public affairs in the prime minister's office was told a different version of events. The truck driver told the police that he had fallen asleep at the wheel, said Murira. So why would Mr Cross deny a police report?
Mr Theron was 10 kilomteres away when the accident happened? The eyewitnesses, surely would have had a more accurate version as they were there when the crash occured. Why did Mr Cross then rely on Mr Theron's version when he was not an eyewitness? How long did it take Mr Theron to get to the scene after the accident?
The New York Times report says Mr Hendrick O'Neill, an MDC-T member "from the area where the crash occured" was suspicious of the "circumstances around the accident". Mr O'Neill is the one who, apparently, called Mr Theron "who lives near the scene" and told him about the accident. So both men are from the same area - where the accident happened? Why then did Mr O'Neill ring Mr Theron when he was from the same area? How did Mr O'Neill know about the accident? Was he an eyewitness? How did he know about it before Mr Theron "who lives near the scene"? How many kilomteres from the scene does Mr O'Neill live, as compared to Mr Theron? Why was it important to call Mr Theron and not the police, or for him to get to the accident scene promptly?
"I was looking for someone to get to the site because I was very suspicious about the circumstances around the accident," the New York Time quotes Mr O'Neill telling Mr Cross. What were those "circumstances" at this stage - soon after the crash? How long was it after the accident did Mr O'Neill know about it or "the circumstances"? He would have had to be on the scene to be "suspicious about the circumstances around the accident" or somebody else would have told him on the phone. If somebody did, who was it?
"So he contacted Deon Theron, the vice president of the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU), who lives near the scene. 'Morgan has been a target for some time'," the New York Times quotes Mr Cross.
Why would he (Mr O'Neill) contact Mr Theron when he also lives near the scene? He could have gone there himself and "collected the evidence". Did it need a farmer - a CFU Vice President? What exactly was Mr Theron required to do in these circumstances, that Mr O'Neill could not do? Afterall he was the first one to know about the accident, and he lived "in that area" anyway. In any case, one would have thought the prime concern was to rescue Mr Tsvangirai (and his wife) as he "has been a target for some time".
Surely, there was a lapse of time, from the time when Mr O'Neill saw, or heard about, the accident to the time he communicated with Mr Theron. How long was that time? How long did it take Mr Theron to get to the scene "10 kilometres" away? Did Mr O'Neill also ring the police? If not, why not? Did Mr O'Neill eventually attend the scene as he was "suspicious about the circumstances around the accident"? If not, why not?
We hope someone will care to answer these questions, among other questions already in the public domain. This is important so that we avoid another "crash and burn".
________________
Philip Murombedzi
philipmurombedzi@yahoo.com
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| n/a • n/a
Subject: n/a
Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:34:52 • Tapera Necholera Chavachigumbu - It is the likes of you that have tarnished the image of Zimbabwe with your lurid and unsubstantiated claims. The questions that Murombedzi has raised are very valid and needs to be addressed. Why is Eddie Cross crying more than the bereaved? Why is that when any publication gives a different slant as opposed to your propaganda nonsense, you always like to label the publication as CIO sponsored? You might have been able to fool some Zimbabweans (a minority) all the time with your propaganda but you have failed dismally to fool the majority of Zimbabweans and that's what counts.Did you know that HIV/AIDs kills around 2,300 people a week in Zim? You want to highlight cholera deaths that were a result of sanctions imposed by the West? If anyone is to be accused for living in the past, it has to be your kind who have used every trick in the book to destroy your own country and have been foolish enough to fight proxy wars for other people's vested interests. How many lies have you peddled about Zimbabwe ?Zimbabwe has now got an inclusive govt in place and characters like you are very unhappy with the arrangement because you were happy exploiting the situation pertaining before for your own very selfish reasons. For your information, food shelves are full to the brim with all goodies that you can think of and prices are tumbling. Those of us who had to endure the hardships are very happy with what is pertaining on the ground. We are toasting our improving situation with good old fashioned Chibuku. Your likes were hoping Zimbabwe will crash and burn, well baby it aint gonna be that way.
We have survived a 231% inflation rate . We have been through a recession and a depression all engineered by the West and we have come out bowed but not beaten. We Zimbabweans are a proud and a resilient people.
You Tapera Necholera Chavachigumbu are nothing but a disgrace to Zimbabwe.
WHITE FANG • NA
Subject: THE GNU IS OUR BEST SHOT AT PEACE IN ZIMBABWE
Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:15:02 • Tapera, you are confused.
If our Prime Minister had died in that accident can you imagine the repurcussions on our President's head? The country would have been a blood bath with 50% of the country immediately taking up the cudgels for his own blood.
The GNU is our best shot at peace in Zimbabwe, but obviously this is not wot you want with your rhetoric comments even though it is what the remainder of the people want. But not want YOU want!
That accidcent was definitely not a uMugabe set up as you indicate.
It might well have been the hand of God, because in sacrificing Susan's life, through her blood and our salted tears, he has brought the entire country together, but then again, it may not have been.
That terrible accident definitely had nothing to do with ZanuPF or Robert Mugabe.
Rev Mufaro Stig Hove • mufarostighove@gmail.com
Subject: Thanks for article!
Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:00:48 • Also posted with debates raging at http://dearprestsvangirai.blog...s-please-explain-accident.html
Tapera Necholera Chavachigumbu • N/A
Subject: It is impossible to change the Leopard's spots.
Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:11:25 • We are all ashamed of Phillip Murombedzi. He still clings and lives in the past. Sooner than later, this CIO paper like the others before it, will hit the dust. Given the dawn of an open society in Zimbabwe, for whom will Phillip and the CIO institutions be working?
The Tsvangirai crash was an attempt to use the old means to intimidate and get rid of one's enemies. If Phillip disagrees with that, let him speak.
NA. • NA
Subject: WHO DUNNIT?
Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:20:18 • REMEMBER how involved Ian Huntley, the school caretaker, wanted to be in helping the police with their enquiries over the murder of the girls in the HIGH PROFILE SOHAM murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in August 2002?
He was all over the news, in the headlines and in the papers which is very similar to some one else we know.
Why is Cross so adamant about this and that, like a dog with a bone? this is a case of what does he know more likely, than what doesnt he know?
Is he trying to put down a new paper chase trail with all this attempt at publicity?
Remember what happened with Ian Huntley in the end.
Murozvi Chaiye • n/a
Subject: Murozvi Mutunga
Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:29:26 • tibvire kumhepo iwe - I doubt if you are real murozvi, we don`t normally produce such dead brains - Phillip`s QUESTIONS and Jonathan Moyo`s MUST be answered! and Mr Crash & Burn must answer many questions as well, what exactly did/does he know abt this supposedly accident?
Donette Read Kruger • na.
Subject: BE PROACTIVE AND GET INVOLVED!
Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:07:43 • sorry Dudes, but the Number 1 rule in FIRST AID if you see anyone in a car accident, provided there is no likelihood of fire, is to leave the victims be until the PARAMEDICS arrive on the scene.
Call the ambulance, call the police, call MARS, but dont try and do that which they have been trained to do.
Just make very sure that approaching traffic is not going to cause anymore disasters. Immediately put barriers up to slow and stop the traffic.
Keep talking to the victims and cover them, and try to keep them warm. Make sure there are no objects in their mouth and that they can breathe. they will be going into shock and you need to keep them warm. do not give them anything to drink or eat. Anaesthetics require an empty gut remember which is why we fast before surgery.
You see, if someone has a broken back, or broken legs, you can do more damage than good by dragging them out, dislodging fragile arteries which could in turn be pierced by broken bones and in the case of a broken back, destroy the nervous system in your efforts to help causing paralysis for the rest of their life. It may be your fault they are paralysed, not being involved in an accident.
If someone has a scalp injury and you pull them away, their brain could fall out. whereas if you leave them until the Paramedics arrive, they can wrap everything into place first before moving the patient. Keep talking and keep them warm.
If someone is knifed, leave the knife or pierced by a sharp object, leave it in there until they get to hospital. it might be holding a severed vein in place which could be clamped by a surgeon but if you remove it that person could bleed to death.
If you have not been trained in this, then its time you were. Every adult should do the course during their employment in this country. Its usally free in your place of employment. I did it and when asked why i explained, we have many road accidents in Zimbabwe and i have always felt at a loss what to do. Be proactive and get involved in a first aid course.
I also think every school child should undergo a FIRST AID COURSE in the school's curriculum. It should be a legal requirement if you are a citizen of Zimbabwe.
Razor razor • wwwim@cooltoad.com
Subject: Iwe Murozvi kwana
Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:43:53 • For you to waffle about the absence of service chiefs from funeral without first answering us about this idiot filming people groaning in pain is an insult. What ever question you have remember first things first. Taking photos took precedence over absentia of chiefs from funeral. How many people are acting antagonistically with Mugabe who are alive today. Think of the authors of independent media in Zim who waffle opposite, negative and lies over Mugabe but they are still alive. So what's your argument? You think Tsvangirai will be pleased to know that someone who would have saved his wife ignored her in favor of taking films. Come on guys these whites are dangerous and murderers. It's easy for them to support mortality.
Nxumalo Mbuso • nmbuso@gmail.com
Subject: PM Tragedy.
Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:32:22 • PHILIP!..You have come up with more questions to add to the list which we already have. It really boggles our minds as Zimbabwean Africans as to why someone would film an accident seated on top of a car with the victims lying helplessly on the ground. Is this being human and does it show friendship.?
Exit scene one enter scene two. The whole reaction of the CFU members involved in this whole saga is questionable. They try to craft a product which they try to get customers who can buy it. All their interview is with the American news paper. Indeed they have managed to get a few customers in the likes of MUROZVI MUTUNGA who happens to have been Ant Mugabe from the days of the war for Independence. Can this person tell us the people who died due to different views with Mugabe. It will be of benefit to give examples with some bit of evidence.
Scene three. Murozvi is it not that the American Embassy and the UK confirmed that the truck was theirs. Even their governments confirmed and indeed agreed that its their truck. This truck had and it still has the American Embassy number plates plus a USAID logo. So what exactly are you saying? Is it because you want us to know that you don't like President Mugabe? Or is it just because you don't care and never value an African life.? Hence filming a desperate life instead of saving it? You can never twist our minds.
How did you know this driver was not supposed to have been driving the truck? All we know is that the truck belongs to the USA & UK (USAID & DifD). This is crystal clear unless if you are implying that we are also so stupid like you to an extant that we fail to see reason in its logical sense. I am sure if anybody in the likes of the President wanted to kill the PM then he could have been killed a long way back during the MDC's formative stages.
Was this funeral attended by all high profile figures in Zimbabwe? Chihuri, Shiri, bla blah . Moreover its not a must that people have to attend funerals. What if Chiwenga's mother was gasping for air? He should have gone to the funeral so as to please MUROZVI this is silly.If Shiri was found filming the accident then its a different story. I want to pose this question to you MUROZVI how many of your cousins Eddie Cross included attended the funeral? All we know is that McGee did not attend so did the Bushman.
I would be suspicious of the regime change people including MUROZVI who have been abandoned by
the PM. Even an idiot knows the MDC sponsors especially the CFU, British and the USA are very bitter by Tsvangirai's decision to get into government with Mugabe.They will not forgive the PM under whatever circumstance and will always hide behind Mugabe. If MUROZVI is as concerned as we are, then he should ask why Eddie Cross and others adivised the PM not to use state security and his official car.? It all stinks foul smeeling.indeed.
Even PIUS NCUBE blamed Mugabe.
murozvi mutunga • mmurozvi@yahoo.co.uk
Subject: A very partisan analysis
Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:09:29 • Mr Murombedzi
Thank you very much for the article. After reading your article it did not take me time to see that you are very good at analysing detail. However, you forgot to ask some questions for example (a) why is it that all people who have different views to Mugabe die by road accident? (b) Why is it that that truck was driven by a driver who was not supposed to be driving it that day. (c) Have you thought about the ownership of that car as well, we do not know the owner up to this day. (d) Although people are not forced to attend funerals, but why did Chihuri, Chiwenga and Shiri not attend the funeral? It boggles the mind and leaves more questions than answers to the whole incident. while I do not supprt what the farmer did I feel your analysis in too shallow. While I applaud you for being analytical, I feel you were partisan in your analysis which has persuaded me to conclude that you are writing in support of Zanu. It is not bad supporting Zanu as long as you represent yourself in a way that will make us assume that you are rational in deeds and conduct and this will persuade us to continue reading your articles. Thanks for your work anyway. God bless you.
Murozvi
N/A • N/A
Subject: Eddie Cross
Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:06:16 • Philip- You have raised very relevant concerns regarding the actions of the trio Eddie Cross, O'Neill and Theron. The three belong to the Commercial Farmers Union. Hopefully, the powers to be investigate this trio.
What was Eddie Cross doing in New York anyway? Was he there to persuade the Obama adminstation to extend the sanctions period. This Eddie Cross is no friend of Zimbabwe since he is on record as saying that he hoped the Zim economy would crash and burn just as his failed companies did and was declared bankrupt. This failed bankrupt has no contribution to make at all to the turnaround of Zimbabwe.
N/A • N/A
Subject: N/A
Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:43:29 • If what has been said above is true, then I will also tell you one truth. In the eyes of White Zimbabweans, a Black Man is expendable once he has saved his purpose.
Maybe he thought all the occupants were going to die, and he would make lots of money by selling the vedio to various international news agencies.
Mufunge, this is the way our cousins think.Ask anyone one who has worked with them to the extent of being in their confidence, he would tell you a thing or two.
Zvandataura I chokwadi. |
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