'Tsvangirai prefers to be treated locally'

MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai's spokesman Luke Tamborinyoka says his boss prefers to be treated locally. Tamborinyoka was stocking Tsvangirai's legendary rivalry with  Mugabe, who has been receiving frequent treatment in a top-notch Singapore medical facility.

"Unlike others (a clear reference to Mugabe) who have gone to Singapore for treatment, he (Tsvangirai) has been receiving treatment locally, using our own health institutions," Tamborinyoka said.

Tsvangirai has allayed fears that he may be seriously unwell, with his aides saying yesterday that he was "as fit as a fiddle".

The aides said the former prime minister in the government of national unity is recharging his batteries at his home in Harare after his doctors ordered him to take a rest at the weekend, due to exhaustion, a development that sparked frenzied speculation about his health after he missed his party's Africa Day rally in the capital.

"He is fine, although he is still taking the rest ordered by his doctors. The doctors told him that he was overworking and must therefore rest," Tamborinyoka said.

Although part of the speculation at the weekend was that the former trade union leader was suffering from malaria, Tamborinyoka dismissed this claim as entirely without foundation.

"There is no need for the nation to panic because he is alright. He will be back on his feet soon," he said.

"I cannot give a firm date as to when he will be back, because it is up to the doctors, but it might take a few weeks before he is back," Tamborinyoka said.

There is also speculation, which began before the 2013 elections, that Mr Tsvangirai had a terminal illness.