"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, referring to his wedding earlier this month with Macheka.

Tsvangirai married Macheka, daughter of a senior official from his rival President Robert Mugabe's party, in a traditional ceremony, after a 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 threw out Tsvangirai's appeal against the original ruling.

A South African woman, Nozipho Shilubane, unsuccessfully tried to block Tsvangirai's marriage to Macheka, claiming he had promised to marry her.