Messages of support and sympathy poured in for Zimbabwe's main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai following his disclosure that he had cancer of the colon, reports said on Wednesday.

According to NewsDay, former vice president and leader of the newly formed Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) Joice Mujuru took time out to wish the former trade unionist well.

Mujuru, in a statement, further applauded Tsvangirai for his bravery in coming out about his illness.

She wished him a speedy recovery and urged Zimbabweans to give him the privacy he needed during his time of recovery.

"We applaud the former prime minister for coming out in the open about his medical condition. As a party, our prayers are with him and we urge Zimbabweans to give him the privacy that he needs during this time that he is on the mend," Mujuru said.

Reports indicated that a number of other politicians had joined the long list of well-wishers.

Tsvangirai's staunch rival Higher Education Minister Jonathan Moyo was among the many well-wishers who wished the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader a speedy recovery.

On his official Twitter account, Moyo wished Tsvangirai a speedy "full" recovery.

Tsvangirai, 64, confirmed early this week that he was suffering from cancer of the colon and had begun chemotherapy. He said doctors in South Africa last month operated on him - successfully - but that was only the "first of several medical procedures" he would have to undergo.

According to a previous News24 report, soon after the opposition leader made the announcement about his health, a number of Zimbabweans took to social media to expressing their well wishes.

Many praised Tsvangirai for his bravery in disclosing the exact nature of his complaint.