Tsvangirai and his advisor 'crossed swords over girlfriend' - State media

The state media reports that former Prime Morgan Tsvangirai and his advisor, Dr Alex Magaisa, crossed swords over a girlfriend some time last year, resulting in Magaisa leaving the country for the United Kingdom.

According to 'The Sunday Mail', the woman who is at the centre of the storm is a widow and works at the MDC-T headquarters in Harare.

Apparently she is said to have been in a relationship with the MDC-T leader for over five years, and at one time she was allegedly promised marriage and bought a house in Milton Park in the capital.

Sources to the newspaper claim that Tsvangirai and Dr Magaisa are now sworn enemies as a result of the woman who was not happy over the former prime minister's failure to honour his promise.

Apparently Tsvangirai is said to have promised to tie the knot with the woman after he lost his first wife, Susan, in 2009. But the former premier reneged on the promise before he was caught up in a web of flirtatious relations with a string of women among them businesswoman Locardia Karimatsenga, Bulawayo-based Loreto Nyathi - daughter of veteran broadcaster Inglam Nyathi - Acquillina Pamberi and a South African, Regina Shilubane, who frolicked with the politician on the pleasant beaches of the Seychelles.

Sources to the newspaper claim that the former prime minister's controversial marriage to Elizabeth infuriated the woman, who later allegedly had a romantic dance with Dr Magaisa.
 
Apparently Tsvangirai was not happy with his subordinate's alleged relationship with the woman, resulting in a messy cat-fight. Sources allege Tsvangirai's aides intercepted communication between Dr Magaisa and the woman. This culminated in the aides stalking the woman in a desperate effort to establish if the alleged relationship between her and Dr Magaisa existed.

Following a spate of incidents, which proved that Tsvangirai had lost love for his advisor, Dr Magaisa decided to go back to the UK and rejoined his family which had not moved to Zimbabwe after he took up the job in the then prime minister's office.

"They (Magaisa and Tsvangirai) worked closely in the now defunct inclusive Government, but they were separated over a girlfriend. The woman caused all the drama although she chooses to maintain a low profile," a source to the newspaper claimed.

Tsvangirai's spokesman, Luke Tamborinyoka said that "it was just a rumour which has been doing the rounds for several months. We heard about the rumour and the president (Tsvangirai) actually laughed it off at some point when he met the woman in question at Harvest House. There is nothing like that. In fact, it's an old story."

Tamborinyoka said Dr Magaisa remains the MDC-T leader's advisor.

Dr Magaisa, communicating via social networking platform Facebook, dismissed the allegations.

"I really don't know where this is coming from because it is hogwash. I have not had a fallout with Tsvangirai over anything. We have an excellent working relationship and I have not fled from anything. I had a serious sudden illness in November and spent three weeks in hospital. I'm currently recovering and receiving treatment from home. And I would appreciate to be allowed the privacy to do so."