Updated: Tsvangirai reveals cancer ordeal

TSVANGI2Felex Share Senior Reporter—
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday lifted the lid on his illness, saying he was battling cancer of the colon. He flew to South Africa on Sunday for chemotherapy.

Colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. It occurs when cells in the body divide uncontrollably. The colon and rectum are parts of the digestive system which make up the large intestines. They absorb water and salt from the remaining food stocks after it goes through the small intestines.

Only a few days ago, Mr Tsvangirai declared that he was as “fit as a fiddle”. He visited South Africa last month for medical attention. Mr Tsvangirai looked frail and unwell when he participated in a demonstration organised by MDC-T in Harare recently. He has not been seen in public since then.

During the demonstration, he addressed the crowd for a few minutes. The opposition leader failed to attend MDC-T demonstrations in Bulawayo and Mutare last week even though his party had claimed that he would “lead from the front”. In Mutare he addressed the crowd over the phone.

Mr Tsvangirai also failed to attend the burial of MDC-T councillor for Ward 30 in Glen View, Harare, Mr Farai Muzhinyi. In a statement yesterday, Mr Tsvangirai said he was diagnosed with cancer last month.

“On the 8th of May, 2016, my Zimbabwean doctors referred me to South Africa where a further diagnosis revealed that I am suffering from cancer of the colon,” he said.

“Following the diagnosis last month, I underwent an operation last month that was successful. However, a diagnosis of cancer is the first of several medical procedures that include treatment through chemotherapy, which treatment I began this week.

“As a leader and public figure, I have taken a decision to make public my condition. “It is my firm belief that the health of national leaders, including politicians should not be a subject of national speculation and uncertainty.”

Mr Tsvangirai said he was ready to fight the disease. “This health condition is unfortunate but can be faced by anyone. I intend to confront this development with the determination to overcome it.” MDC-T has in the past tried to cover up its leader’s ill health each time he sought treatment.

His deteriorating health has thrown MDC-T into succession mode, with members jockeying for key positions. Indications are that Mr Tsvangirai would unlikely lead the party into the 2018 harmonised elections.

Following his successive defeats at the hands of Zanu-PF since 2000, waning donor support and unstable health condition, some MDC-T members believe Mr Tsvangirai has gone by his sell-by date.

Two party members reportedly angling to take over from Mr Tsvangirai are vice president Thokhozani Khupe and former national organising secretary Mr Nelson Chamisa. Despite losing the position of secretary-general to Mr Douglas Mwonzora at the party’s congress in 2014, Mr Chamisa still commands a lot of support from the structures and membership.

The two jostling party members have denied their ambitions with Mr Chamisa describing Mr Tsvangirai as his “father”. The MDC, formed in 1999, has suffered major splits with the major one coming in 2005 followed by minor splinters that saw the likes of Prof Welshman Ncube, and Messrs Tendai Biti and Elton Mangoma forming their own parties.

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