Tsvangirai summons Biti to explain 'coup attempt'

The Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC on Sunday showed off its numerical edge over rivals by pulling a crowd of more than a thousand supporters who voluntarily thronged Harvest House, the party's headquarters to show support for their embattled leader.

The Tsvangirai group all but turned what was supposed to be a solidarity gathering into a rally with loud music blaring from speakers outside the headquarters.

As the crowd sang and chanted in praise of Tsvangirai, party organising secretary Nelson Chamisa and spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora addressed a press conference that was also attended by dozens of party activists, among them, serving MPs such as Morgan Femai, Fidelis Mhashu and Paurina Mpariwa.

Mwonzora hit back at the rival faction led by party secretary general Tendai Biti for allegedly convening a "clandestine and bogus" meeting Saturday.

He said the Harare East MP would be summoned this week to explain his actions which he likened to a coup attempt.

Mwonzora said the Biti meeting fell short of being a legitimate party national council meeting as it was held in secrecy and away from the party's headquarters, a traditional venue for such meetings.