20100425
ALL AFRICA

Three senior officials from the Mutambara led MDC, Renson Gasela, Lyson Mlambo and Ntombizodwa Gumbo were killed in a car accident along the Zvishavane-Gweru road on Saturday night. An MDC-M statement said their vehicle plunged into a stationary front-loader.

They were coming from a party meeting in Zvishavane and were on their way to Shurugwi for another meeting when the tragic accident occurred.

Gasela was a former MDC MP for Gweru Rural and the Party's Secretary for Lands and Deputy Secretary for Information and Publicity, Renson Gasela. He was also founder member of the original MDC and former general manager of the Grain Marketing Board.

Mlambo was the party's National Chairperson for the Disciplinary Committee and Midlands South Provincial Chairperson, while Gumbo was the Midlands South Women's Assembly Provincial Chairperson.

Edwin Mushoriwa, the Secretary for Information and Publicity said six other party members who included the Provincial Organising Secretary, Benias Chikweya, the Deputy Provincial Organising Secretary, Felix Pireyi, Provincial Youth Assembly Secretary, George Mukaro, and Mkoba District Executive Member, Ms Mhishi and the Driver, Lavender Mugavhu who were travelling in the same vehicle were injured and were ferried to United Bulawayo Hospital where they remain admitted. The Provincial Security Officer, Antonia Sibanda who was admitted at a hospital in Zvishavane has since been treated and discharged.

He said: "MDC wishes to convey its heartfelt condolences to the Gasela, Mlambo and Gumbo families over this tragic loss. The party has indeed lost dear friends and compatriots whose contribution and dedication to the fight for democracy has been beyond measure. We take solace in that the LORD has made his decision. We shall always cherish the times that we have shared with our departed compatriots though the void created by their untimely deaths will be difficult to fill."