Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has put to rest speculation about his love life after customarily marrying Elizabeth Macheka, daughter of Zanu PF Central Committee member Joseph Macheka.
Mr. Tsvangirai’s spokesman, Luke Tamborinyoka, told VOA the Prime Minister paid lobola a few weeks ago and a ceremony to welcome Elizabeth into the Tsvangirai family was held over the weekend in Buhera, his rural home in Manicaland province.
On Monday the Prime Minister officially introduced Elizabeth to his ruling partner President Robert Mugabe and his deputy Joice Mujuru.
Mr. Tsvangirai was in a marriage muddle last year when he paid some dowry to businesswoman Locadia Karimatsenga-Tembo's family.
Just 12 days after marrying Karimatsenga-Tembo, Mr. Tsvangirai split with her saying he suspected it was sting intended to damage him politically.
The state-controlled Herald newspaper reported at the time that Mr. Tsvangirai paid $36,000 and five cattle lobola but no details have been released of the new marriage.
In splitting from Karimatsenga-Tembo, Mr. Tsvangirai said: "My genuine intention has been betrayed, and hearts have had to search long and hard for the true meaning of this well-choreographed drama that has now been hijacked to cause political damage to my person and character."
Tamborinyoka told VOA's Studio 7 reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that many now hope Elizabeth will assume the motherly role that Susan, the Prime Minister's late wife, played in her husband’s MDC formation and the country as well.
Both Mr. Tsvangirai and Macheka lost their spouses in car crashes.
Reverend Levy Kadenge of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe said Mr. Tsvangirai’s new status will bring more respect.