News / National
Tsvangirai bars in-laws from discussing his marriage to Ms Locadia
03 Dec 2011 at 20:52hrs | Views
PM Morgan Tsvangirai has reportedly barred his in-laws from discussing his marriage to Ms Locadia Tembo Karimatsenga with the media.
This came as it emerged the two families are locked in negotiations to resolve sticking points around the marriage.
A source said Mr Tsvangirai told the Karimatsenga family to keep developments "under wraps" to clear the way for talks that could see the MDC-T leader marrying Locadia.
And true to this order, Ms Karimatsenga's relatives were tight-lipped yesterday, hoping that this could see Mr Tsvangirai softening his stance on the issue.
"I cannot comment on anything; I think it is better that you talk to the Tsvangirai family. They will give you the correct position," said a relative.
Ms Karimatsenga's sister and Zanu-PF House of Assembly member Mrs Beatrice Nyamupinga also refused to comment.
"I cannot say anything. We have a family spokesperson and he is the person to call," she said.
Sources said Mr Tsvangirai and Ms Karimatsenga have been in constant touch since the marriage two weeks ago. The sources said they were working to map a way forward following conflicting statements about their union. Initially, Prime Minister Tsvangirai seemed to acknowledge that he wanted to formalise the marriage through a statement, only to revise it a few hours later.
He made a U-turn, suggesting he only paid "damages" for impregnating her.
A source said he was now "in a fix" because his family wants him to embrace the new wife while some party hardliners are against the union.
"His family has advised him to go ahead with the marriage because they have already accepted her," said a source.
"His mother, in particular, is supportive of the marriage and his brother and uncle, who went to conduct the ceremony on his behalf, also want Ms Karimatsenga to be their in-law."
In the later statement on Thursday, Mr Tsvangirai said:
"While I accept that as Prime Minister I live a public life, I believe I reserve the right to define my relationship.
"I have opened up communication lines with the Karimatsenga family and they know my position regarding this matter. I do not wish to publicise the nature and extent of my communication to them. Ms Karimatsenga is also aware of my position on this matter."
This came as it emerged the two families are locked in negotiations to resolve sticking points around the marriage.
A source said Mr Tsvangirai told the Karimatsenga family to keep developments "under wraps" to clear the way for talks that could see the MDC-T leader marrying Locadia.
And true to this order, Ms Karimatsenga's relatives were tight-lipped yesterday, hoping that this could see Mr Tsvangirai softening his stance on the issue.
"I cannot comment on anything; I think it is better that you talk to the Tsvangirai family. They will give you the correct position," said a relative.
Ms Karimatsenga's sister and Zanu-PF House of Assembly member Mrs Beatrice Nyamupinga also refused to comment.
"I cannot say anything. We have a family spokesperson and he is the person to call," she said.
Sources said Mr Tsvangirai and Ms Karimatsenga have been in constant touch since the marriage two weeks ago. The sources said they were working to map a way forward following conflicting statements about their union. Initially, Prime Minister Tsvangirai seemed to acknowledge that he wanted to formalise the marriage through a statement, only to revise it a few hours later.
He made a U-turn, suggesting he only paid "damages" for impregnating her.
A source said he was now "in a fix" because his family wants him to embrace the new wife while some party hardliners are against the union.
"His family has advised him to go ahead with the marriage because they have already accepted her," said a source.
"His mother, in particular, is supportive of the marriage and his brother and uncle, who went to conduct the ceremony on his behalf, also want Ms Karimatsenga to be their in-law."
In the later statement on Thursday, Mr Tsvangirai said:
"While I accept that as Prime Minister I live a public life, I believe I reserve the right to define my relationship.
"I have opened up communication lines with the Karimatsenga family and they know my position regarding this matter. I do not wish to publicise the nature and extent of my communication to them. Ms Karimatsenga is also aware of my position on this matter."
Source - Sunday Mail
