PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai apologised Saturday for his affairs with two women whom he later dropped in favour of new wife Elizabeth Macheka, saying he did not mean to hurt them.
"I know the road I travelled to make this choice has been rough and has been filled with all sorts of trouble, but I am glad I eventually made my choice," Tsvangirai told 20,000 supporters at a rally in Bulawayo, referring to his wedding earlier this month with Macheka.
Tsvangirai married Macheka, daughter of Zanu PF central committee member Joseph Macheka, in a traditional ceremony, after a second woman tried to stop the marriage claiming she was his legitimate wife while another claimed she was engaged to him.
"Although the road has not been easy, I had no intention to hurt anyone," said Tsvangirai. "I had no intention to hurt anyone. It was a genuine search. I want to apologise to anyone who has been hurt."
A magistrate's court had granted the request by Locadia Karimatsenga to block Tsvangirai's marriage to Macheka, prompting Tsvangirai to resort to a traditional marriage which allows polygamy.
A High Court judge threw out Tsvangirai's appeal against the original ruling.
A South African woman, Nosipho Shilubane, unsuccessfully tried to block Tsvangirai's marriage to Macheka, claiming he had promised to marry her.