Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has died in South Africa

Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has died in south Africa, according to a party official. Elias Mudzuri, a vice president of the Movement for Democratic Change party, reported Tsvangirai's death in a post on Twitter on this evening. "It is sad for me to announce that we have lost our icon and fighter for democracy," Mudzuri wrote. Mr Tsvangirai's career was marked by a long political struggle against former President Robert Mugabe. He had been beaten and imprisoned numerous times. Mr Tsvangirai's illness was said to have divided the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change), with some party officials reportedly jockeying to succeed the former trade union activist. Tsvangirai has been in and out of hospitals suffering from colon cancer. He served as prime minister under ex-President Robert Mugabe in a 2009-2013 unity government. May his soul rest in peace