By Paul Nyathi|Leader of the People’s Democratic Party Tendai Biti has caused a major storm after he went on Twitter describing the people of diamonds rich Marange in Manicaland province as “feudal.”

Biti who is a principal in the MDC Alliance coalition made the remarks after visiting the area for an MDC Alliance rally over the weekend.

Biti, using his Twitter handle @BitiTendai said: “A big rare smile from Marange . . . Manicaland regrettably has the highest rate of polygamy in the country with 45% of ‘married’ persons in this community being in polygamous unions. Education & development will eliminate these throw-backs from our feudal past.”

Biti’s remarks attracted a huge furore from across the country with most demanding that he withdraws the statement and issue a public apology.

MDC-T secretary-general Mr Douglas Mwonzora who hails from the area was one of the prominent people to castigate Biti for the utterance.

Mwonzora responded on the tweet: “The people in Marange deserve respect. They are certainly not feudal.”

Zimbabweans across the country also joined in the thread castigating Biti for the statements.