This court action shows just how frustrated Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has become.
He wants the Harare High Court to nullify President Robert Mugabe’s recent appointment of governors to 10 provinces, saying Mugabe didn’t consult him in line with the power-sharing agreement the pair signed more than two years ago. This makes the appointments unconstitutional, according to Tsvangirai’s lawyers.
It’s not clear how successful this court action will be, but it marks a new low in inter-party relations.
Mugabe’s Zanu-PF has not yet reacted to news of the lawsuit, but on Wednesday the party’s politburo backed the president’s call for an early election.
If Mugabe wins the election he will regain absolute power.
Tsvangirai’s MDC party says reforms to ensure a free and fair election have not yet been carried out and nor has a new constitution been drawn up.
There are also fears of renewed violence. MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa claims soldiers and Zanu-PF youths have already been deployed in some villages.