Tsvangirai expected to sue Mugabe’s deputy

Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai plans to take legal action against Deputy President Phelekezela Mphoko, who claimed the former Prime Minister was involved in the atrocities of the 1980s. The Citizen reports that the MDC leader was also accused by Mphoko of attempting to assassinate liberation icon Joshua Nkomo. Mphoko made the allegations on state television last weekend ahead of President Robert Mugabe’s birthday celebrations in Matobo, one of the areas worst affected by the atrocities. About 20 000 civilians were killed after Mugabe unleashed a North Korean-trained army unit to crash dissidents from Nkomo’s opposition Zapu party. Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka dismissed the claims as reckless and malicious, adding that Mphoko will be contacted by Tsvangirai’s lawyers.