Ex-Mugabe ally endorses Tsvangirai

By BBC

A former powerful ally of Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has thrown his weight behind his rival Morgan Tsvangirai in next year’s presidential election, reports the BBC’s Shingai Nyoka from the capital, Harare.

Didymus Mutasa, who was expelled from the ruling Zanu-PF party in 2015, said he wanted Mr Tsvangirai to lead an opposition coalition against the 93-year-old Mr Mugabe, who is seeking to extend his 37-year rule in the poll.

Mr Mutasa attended a rally, along with Mr Tsvangirai and other opposition politicians, in Harare, to demand electoral reforms.

Mr Mutasa played a key role in forming the Zimbabwe People First party after his expulsion from Zanu-PF, but has since fallen out with its leader Joice Mujuru.