Tsvangirai’s reputation on the line as ex-lover tries to stop wedding

Published on 13/09/2012 00:00

A LEGAL bid by a former lover of Zimbabwean prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai to stop his wedding on Saturday has laid bare a messy private life and damaged the political reputation of the main rival to leader Robert Mugabe.

Locardia Karimatsenga, 39, filed a high court injunction to block Mr Tsvangirai’s wedding to fiancée Elizabeth Macheka, arguing that she was his wife under the former British colony’s “customary marriage” law.

Judge Antonia Guvava ruled yesterday that the wedding should go ahead but Ms Karimatsenga’s lawyer said he would appeal, meaning the saga could yet take another twist. The case has sparked a frenzy in newspapers in the capital Harare, which have plastered their front pages with headlines such as “Tsvangirai wedding war”, “Plot against PM intensifies” and “D-Day for PM Wedding”. Having the nuptials blocked would be a major embarrassment for Mr ­Tsvangirai, who had been ­expected to invite Mr Mugabe, his partner in a fractious coalition formed after a disputed 2008 election, and some foreign leaders to the ceremony.

His personal troubles started after the death of his wife, Susan, in a 2009 car crash. They have handed Mr Mugabe political ammunition as he seeks to extend his three-decade rule in an election expected within a year.

The high court has also received another application from Ms Karimatsenga in which she demands $15,000 (£9,300) from Mr Tsvangirai for her monthly ­upkeep.