Zimbabwe opposition leader Tsvangirai denies reports he is critically ill

Zimbabwe’s main opposition party has denied reports that its leader Morgan Tsvangirai is critically ill.

Reports of his deteriorating condition emerged yesterday with sources within Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) telling people to brace up for the worst.

Mr Tsvangirai has been in and out of South African hospitals after being diagnosed with colon cancer.  

But the MDC now says reports about its leader’s health are exaggerated. 

A senior member of the party who refused to be identified told the BBC that Mr Tsvangirai is in poor health but that he is conscious and speaking. 

With elections now less than five months away it is not clear whether the alliance will be able to regroup and identify a new leader, if Mr Tsvangirai is not well enough to contest.

SOURCE: BBC NEWS
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