Tsvangirai HIV - Aids famous refrain released

Premier Morgan Tsvangirai's addresses at political rallies and HIV/Aids conferences are often marked by the now famous refrain: "Kana muchiridza ngoma yeZion pfekai gemenzi,"  Loosely translated, this Shona expression is an exhortation to Zimbabweans to always practice safe sex and to always protect themselves when in relationships.

But developments surrounding the PM's recent escapades, including his disputed "marriage" to a Harare businesswoman that he apparently impregnated out of wedlock, have sullied the character of the man and his well-meant public pronouncements ' at least in the eyes of Aids activists and ordinary people who were taking his safe sex campaign seriously.

While preaching the much-needed gospel of safe sex has been easy for the widowed PM, putting this message into practice in his own life is proving much harder for the popular former trade unionist, opening him to criticism from political opponents and activists that he is undermining government's safe sex campaign.

Last week the PM, who has been linked to a string of women since his wife died in 2009, was apparently "forced to pay compensation" to the family of a woman, Locadia Tembo, who is believed to be carrying his twins.