Tsvangirai task Biti to lead coalition talks

Zimbabwe's opposition parties, excluding Morgan Tsvangirais MDC-T, have tasked Tendai Biti to be chief negotiator in talks seeking to forge a grand coalition with former vive-president Joice Mujuru's People First movement.

The MDC-T is divided on joining hands with Mujuru. Tsvangirai is supporting the move while National Executive Council member Nelson Chamisa rejects the plan.

Sources said the parties agreed to rally behind Mujuru on condition that she scales up efforts to formally set up the largely obscure political outfit.

Last week, opposition parties leader who include Biti, Lovemore Madhuku, Emilia Mukaratirwa and Elton Mangoma met to come up with a strategy on how to face Zanu-PF in the 2018 elections.