Harare , Zimbabwe ( CNN ) -- Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai announced Wednesday he had divorced his wife of less than two weeks , claiming that a `` greater and thicker plot '' had undermined his confidence in the relationship . `` This relationship has been irretrievably damaged to a point where marriage is now inconceivable , '' said Tsvangirai , 59 , in a statement released late Wednesday , referring to the traditional marriage he had with 39-year-old Lorcadia Karimatsenga since November 18 . `` I was well-meaning and had good intentions to rebuild my family and start a new lease of life following the tragic passing on of my wife on 6 March 2009 , '' Tsvangirai 's statement said . But since the day he paid lobola -- money a prospective husband pays the family of his bride -- `` everything has been played in the press and I have become an innocent bystander in what is supposed to be my relationship . I have become a spectator in this relationship and things are happening too fast , on camera and without my knowledge . This has led me to conclude that there is a greater and thicker plot around this issue which has undermined my confidence in this relationship . '' Since the announcement of the marriage -- for which Tsvangirai reportedly paid $ 36,000 -- state and social media has been stalking Karimatsenga . Some media reports said she was already pregnant with twins . Earlier in the day , President Robert Mugabe , who formed a coalition government with Tsvangirai , appealed to the media to respect his prime minister 's private life . `` Everyone has a right to do what he wishes . But this one ( Tsvangirai ) is being targeted and mobbed by the media every day . Please leave him alone , '' Mugabe told journalists . Tsvangirai 's first wife died in 2009 in a car accident in which the former opposition leader survived with minor injuries . `` Sometimes when you are searching for a partner especially after losing your wife , there are many stakeholders in the process some of whom have their own ulterior intentions . Having been married for 31 years , the tendency is to want to use your experience as a yardstick for future relationships . Regrettably , the individuals , like the one in question , may not meet the same standards , '' added Tsvangirai without explaining . He said the intention of those who worked against his marriage is to `` inflict maximum damage on my person and character for political gain . '' `` The 'marriage ' has been hijacked and there is an apparent active political hand that is now driving the processes . State security agents have also weighed in to force and direct proceedings which has resulted in everything regarding this relationship now taking place in camera , with the public media journalists in tow , '' the prime minister 's statement said .
The prime minister cites a ` ` reason '' for the failure of his marriage . He asks the media to cover Zimbabwe 's private life . Tsvangirai 's first wife died in a fatal car accident .