Zimbabwe opposition leader Roy Bennett and wife die in helicopter crash
Follow UsExiled Zimbabwe opposition leader Roy Bennett and his wife, Heather, died in a helicopter crash in Canada on Thursday.
The Founding Movement for Democratic Change treasurer, Bennett, was travelling with his wife and five other people when the helicopter crashed in a mountainous rural area of northern New Mexico.
Out of the six people on the helicopter, only one survived who raised the alarm.
"I have just confirmed from three separate reliable sources that Roy and Heather Bennett have been tragically killed in a helicopter accident in North America," former Zimbabwe government minister David Coltart wrote on Facebook.
Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti also paid tribute to Bennette and wrote: Just learnt of the tragic passing on in Canada of Heather and Roy Pachedu Badze Bennett. What a serious loss to mankind What a blow to Charles and the rest of the family. What a blow to our struggle. I can’t believe I can’t believe I will never speak to you again Badze !
Just learnt of the tragic passing on in Canada of Heather and Roy Pachedu Badze Bennett. What a serious loss to mankind What a blow to Charles and the rest of the family . What a blow to our struggle . I can’t believe I can’t believe I will never speak to you again Badze !
— TENDAI BITI (@BitiTendai) January 18, 2018
The 60-year-old was based in South Africa and served time in jail under former President Robert Mugabe. During his time in exile ‚ he played a role in activism for Zimbabwe‚ and particularly the MDC‚ in South Africa.