Opposition sources in the Zimbabwean provinces of Masvingo and Manicaland said Friday that state agents are trying to intimidate newly elected parliamentarians to prevent the two MDC formations from exercising the house majority they claimed in the March general election.

The election of a house speaker is likely to be the first order of business for parliament.

Opposition sources said three parliamentarians-elect in Manicaland have gone into hiding.

In Mashonaland Central province, sources said authorities are seeking to arrest member-elect Shepherd Mushonga of Mazowe Central and Bindura South member Bedneck Nyaude.

Masvingo Urban parliamentarian-elect Tongai Matutu told reporter Jonga Kandemiiri of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that ZANU-PF hopes to dominate the fledgling parliament by ensuring some MDC members fail to be sworn in and cast their votes.