Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has mocked efforts by opposition parties to form a “grand coalition” to contest in next year’s elections.

According to a broadcast by a state-owned medium, Mugabe said the coalition would fail because the opposition continued to chase “a mirage?”.

Mugabe added that the opposition parties were “a confused lot”, as they always continued to split amid internal fights.

His remarks came as reports indicated that former vice-president Joice Mujuru has finally endorsed the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, as “the most suitable person” to face Mugabe in next year’s elections.