Tsvangirai's mistress goes after properties, Biti accused of assisting her

MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai's properties are under siege from his 25-year-old ex-girlfriend, Ms Loretha Nyathi, who is now targeting his assets following the former premier's failure to pay child support.

Ms Nyathi launched a spirited search into Mr Tsvangirai's houses and movable assets through private investigators who made numerous visits to the Deeds Office in central Harare last week. There are concerns Mr Tsvangirai is insolvent and Ms Nyathi's legal advisors expect him to default on any maintenance order established by the courts, which would lead to an attachment of assets.

Mr Tsvangirai is believed to be the owner of a house in Strathaven and other upmarket suburbs, although he is living in a Government mansion in Highlands.

In an apparent escalation of MDC-T infighting, a source close to Ms Nyathi, who provided additional pictures of her and Mr Tsvangirai's secret son, Ethan, told The Sunday Mail investigations team that MDC-T secretary-general Mr Tendai Biti, who is locked in a bitter power struggle with Mr Tsvangirai, is sponsoring the legal campaign against the party leader in a bid to weaken his position by publicly exposing his personal shortcomings.

Efforts to get a comment from Mr Biti were unsuccessful as he referred all questions to Mr Jacob Mafume, the spokesman for the outfit describing itself as the Renewal Team. Mr Mafume refused to be drawn into commenting on the specific allegations of Mr Biti's involvement, but described Mr Tsvangirai as an embarrassment.

"He is a national embarrassment. He seduced a teenager younger than his daughter and now wants to ascribe blame to Zanu-PF and others," said Mr Mafume.

"But that is an overused card. Where have you heard of that kind of behaviour?"

Investigators contracted by Ms Nyathi, through a law firm which has since drafted a maintenance letter, are believed to be working to establish the extent of Mr Tsvangirai's possessions. This comes after the MDC-T leader stopped paying US$2 200 in maintenance in August 2013 - a month after being defeated by President Mugabe in the July 31 elections.

A source at the Deeds Office, who preferred to remain anonymous for this report, explained that two men visited their offices seeking a list of Mr Tsvangirai's houses.

The moves are believed to be part of efforts by Ms Nyathi to raise money to cater for Ethan - a Grade Zero pupil in Bulawayo - who has been barred from class as his father is failing to pay school fees. Ms Nyathi is believed to have left the country for South Africa last week following harassment by Mr Tsvangirai's aides who accused her of leaking pictures to The Sunday Mail.

This newspaper acquired fresh pictures of Ms Nyathi and Ethan — who bears a striking resemblance to his father. Mr Tsvangirai is understood to be worried about potential embarrassment if images of Ethan are published in newspapers. The former Prime Minister has for the past four years managed to keep the boy secret, refusing to register a birth certificate for him. Women's groups last week attacked him for taking advantage of young women.

Women and children's rights activist Ms Grace Ndlovu slammed Mr Tsvangirai, accusing him of irresponsible behaviour.

"He (Tsvangirai) should correct his wayward ways by making sure his child has a birth certificate and enough money for school fees, food and rentals," she said.

A fortnight ago, Mr Tsvangirai's aides held a brief meeting with Ms Nyathi in Harare where they pleaded insolvency and asked for more time to fund-raise.

Meanwhile, Mr Tsvangirai has reportedly launched a campaign to raise over US$100 000 for medical care outside the country following an embarrassing episode at Trauma Centre and Hospital in Harare. The MDC-T is said to be reluctant to have him treated locally over privacy concerns after details of his treatment were apparently leaked to the media.

Former Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Mr Jameson Timba recently took to his Facebook page to castigate Trauma Centre and Hospital. "If I ever fall ill I will not go to the Trauma Centre hospital because my security and privacy are not guaranteed," posted Mr Timba. Comment could not be obtained from Mr Tsvangirai's spokesman, Mr Luke Tamborinyoka, as his mobile phone was unavailable.