The MDC-T issued a statement on Friday dismissing as 'malicious' the reports of factionalism in the party. Speculation is rife that the recent violent incident that took place at the party headquarters was a result of power struggles within the leadership, ahead of next year's party congress.

Three private investigators were beaten and the party's Director General, Toendepi Shonhe, had his car confiscated by MDC youths.

However a statement issued by the MDC-T on Friday accused ZANU PF of embarking on a smear campaign to malign President Morgan Tsvangirai and Secretary General Tendai Biti, by alleging they are involved in a power struggle.

The statement said; "What has happened at Harvest house are disturbances to do with administrative issues which the leadership is currently seized with. The culprits have since been suspended and an independent commission has been set up to carry out a comprehensive probe. These are internal hygiene issues that a gigantic and mass-based party like the MDC can deal with."

"Unfortunately, these disturbances have provided an avenue for the traditional enemies of the people's project to transport and relocate factionalism from its permanent home in Zanu PF to the MDC."

Despite the party denying reports of infighting, some MDC-T officials maintain that the leadership, mainly Morgan Tsvangirai and Tendai Biti, are at loggerheads, disagreeing on strategy and tactics.

One observer said: "Fundamentally, the MDC has a structural flow in its constitutional architecture. It creates two centres of power. It doesn't help that the occupants in those two centres of power are different individuals - one thinking as a unionist and another as a lawyer; both trying to survive the rigmarole of hard core naked politics in Zimbabwe's fast moving transitional train."

Political analyst Professor John Makumbe said there are power struggles in every party but he believes it is highly unlikely that Biti would want to push Tsvangirai from power, although he said differences are there, just as they were when the MDC split into two in 2005, over ideological differences.

"Yes there are differences of methodology of how to resolve the crisis but these differences have never esclated within the MDC leadership to the level where there are struggles for positions, as is alleged at the moment."

The political analyst said it will be important to see the findings of the committee that has been set up to investigate the incident that took place at Harvest House. Party insiders said the committee is still conducting interviews and it's not yet clear when they will conclude their investigations and if the party will publicise its findings.

A source said those in the committee include Zimrights director Okay Machisa, rights laywer Kucaca Phulu; plus from the MDC-T - Nketa MP Seiso Moyo, Deputy Minister of Justice Jesse Majome, and national council member Concillia Chinanzvavana.

Makumbe said for transparancy the party should have set up an entirely independent commission of enquiry to look into the issues. He said if there is any factionalism then MDC individuals on the commission could be aligned to one of the factions.

Meanwhile another investigation committee is expected in the UK over the weekend, to investigate allegations of corruption in the MDC-T UK chapter. It is understood these committee members include MDC MPs Sam Sipepa Nkomo and Tabitha Khumalo and the party's finance director Rumbidzai Nyamayemombe.