'I am now exposed,' says Tsvangirai

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has described the death of Benson Muchineuta, the MDC director of security as a personal blow as he had entrusted Muchineuta to look into his daily security arrangements.

He said this while addressing hundreds of mourners at a memorial service for Muchineuta better known as "Okolo", which was held this afternoon at the Muchineuta family residence in Lusaka, Highfield.

Muchineuta, 44, died on Monday morning at his Harare residence after a short illness.

"Personally, I am now exposed because I am now alone. Benson was a principled young man who left a proud record," Tsvangirai said.

"He personally provided security for me around the clock and I travelled with him all over the country and abroad. I relied on him and other young men and among them there was Okolo who was a natural leader," he said.

Muchineuta joined the MDC in 1999 as an organising secretary for Ward 2 in Budiriro, Harare.

He was later recruited as a security aide for Tsvangirai rising to the position of head of security. In 2009, he was appointed to head the former Prime Minister's security department.

He was later appointed the MDC director of security, a position held until his death yesterday.

He will be buried at Muchineuta Village in Buhera at 10 am tomorrow, Wednesday.