• Expert says Tsvangirai's vehicle was defective
• Tsvangirai's wife died in an auto accident last year
• Harare has history of mysterious deaths of politicians in road accidents

Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai narrowly escaped another road accident when his all-terrain vehicle burst a rear tyre during his tour of Matabeleland region.

The country’s intelligence service, which is under the tight control of President Robert Mugabe, a former arch-rival of Mr Tsvangirai, is already investigating the matter.

According to several newspaper reports, a German expert Mr Karl V Lenhardt, who imported the vehicle, said its condition had deteriorated rapidly.

“While inspecting the vehicle, I observed the that the boot is not opening.

“The spare wheel is badly damaged and cannot be repaired,” Mr Lehnardt was quoted as having said in a report submitted after the accident.

“The remote control, as well as the central locking system is dysfunctional.

Hinges are loose

“The run flat equipment is in the boot of the vehicle. All door hinges are loose.

“There is evidence that the vehicle has been used before it was delivered to the owner.”

The Prime Minister’s spokesman, Mr James Maridadi, confirmed that investigations into the matter were underway.

“It is obvious the PM wants answers,” he said.

On Saturday, Mr Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) held a memorial service for his late wife where officials steered clear of the controversy surrounding the latest incident.

Mrs Susan Tsvangirai died on March 6, last year when the car she was travelling in alongside her husband, collided with an aid truck along the Harare - Masvingo highway.

They were on their way to their rural home in Manicaland Province to attend an MDC function.