Zimbabwe’s political crisis intensified on Sunday as authorities ordered a partial recount of the votes in last month’s elections, paving the way for President Robert Mugabe to potentially overturn both his party’s and his own apparent defeat by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

The MDC said on Sunday night it would challenge the recount in court on Tuesday and accuse the state-appointed Zimbabwe Electoral Commission of trying to help Mr Mugabe escape from the biggest threat to his 28-year rule.