Tsvangirai flies to America

MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai has reportedly flown to the United States ostensibly to try to win the confidence of his party's supporters and sponsors who are clamouring for leadership change in the party.

Tsvangirai, according to sources seeks to meet the people who were mesmerised by secretary general Mr Tendai Biti who went on a charm offensive during his visit to the US last month.

The MDC-T leader, re-elected at a fiery congress in Bulawayo last year, has been under pressure from the party's Western sponsors who have long expressed reservations about his intellect and leadership qualities.

Tsvangirai's spokesperson Mr Luke Tamborinyoka said his boss was on a private visit finishing his annual break which he had cut short because of a mysterious leg injury.

The spokesperson said the PM was accompanied by his fiancee, Ms Elizabeth Macheka.

Presidential spokesperson Mr George Charamba said Tsvangirai informed President Mugabe of his US journey.

While in the US, it is understood that Tsvangirai would meet some American business people whom he thinks might bankroll his party's election campaign.

National Constitutional Assembly chairperson Professor Lovemore Madhuku recently revealed that Western governments wanted the MDC-T to be led by an academic.

Prof Madhuku said Western ambassadors accredited to Zimbabwe approached him to assist them find a suitable candidate to succeed Mr Tsvangirai.