By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said is willing to talk to opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa but only on the condition that he recognises his legitimacy as President of Zimbabwe.

Mnangagwa said that talks with Chamisa will be ‘illegitimate’ if the opposition leader refuses to recognise his legitimacy.

While addressing journalists at State House on Wednesday, Mnangagwa said:

I hear there are talks going on and this only in the media. I even have had to ask our party officials whether they have been in talks with the MDC behind my back. They are also surprised.

I have never refused to talk and that is why after I came into office, you have seen me talking to all people from students, industry, the church, political parties and even traditional leaders.

We continue to talk for the good of our country and my door is open. I, however, do not understand how he (Chamisa) would want to talk to me when he claims I am illegitimate. It implies that the talks will be illegitimate.

Churches and various civic groups have called for engagement between the country’s political leaders. However, Chamisa insists that he won the 2018, July 31 poll and will not recognise Mnangagwa as the legitimate President.