38 MDC-T members defect to Zanu-PF

Plumtree Correspondent
AT least 38 disgruntled MDC-T members in Bulilima East have defected to Zanu-PF in protest over alleged imposition of Mr Norman Mpofu as the party’s National Assembly candidate in the forthcoming harmonised elections. A number of MDC-T supporters in the constituency said they were opposed to Mr Mpofu’s candidature whom they regard a “sellout”.
Mr Mpofu, who is the former Member of the House of Assembly for the constituency, was expelled from the Professor Welshman Ncube led MDC and later joined MDC-T.

Among the 38 defectors was MDC-T Bulilima East ward five organising secretary Mr Joseph Msebele and the ward chairperson, Mrs Catherine Sithole.

Welcoming the new party members at a rally at Gampu Business Centre, Zanu-PF Politburo Member Cde Richard Ndlovu urged the new members to be loyal to the revolutionary party as it had the nation’s interests at heart.

“We congratulate you for the wise choice which you have openly made today before this community to become part of the revolutionary party.
“You should remain loyal at all costs and desist from being carried away after hearing false promises from parties like MDC-T.

“We say to you today, feel welcome in the party and I assure you that you will not regret the decision you have made,” said Cde Ndlovu.
Zanu-PF coordinator for Bulilima East, Cde Lungile Walter Moyo said the new party members were all from ward five.

A member of the MDC-T party who requested anonymity said more party members were threatening to leave the party citing lack of vision and poor leadership.

“A number of party members are disgruntled by the imposition of Mr Mpofu and are threatening to defect en-masse to Zanu-PF in protest over the unfair appointment of party representatives.

“As party members we were expecting a fair election process between Mr Mpofu and Matabeleland South provincial organising secretary for the party, Mr Solani Moyo,” said one of the defectors.

Contacted for comment MDC-T provincial chairperson Mr Watchy Sibanda said he was not aware of any defections, saying his party members were not disgruntled.

“I am not aware that people have defected from the party and Mr Mpofu has not been selected to represent the party.
“We are still in the process of organising primaries to be held in that constituency,” he said.

Mr Sibanda dismissed those who have defected as Zanu-PF imposters.
“As far as I am concerned I do not know the people you say defected. We do not have office holders with those names within our party.
“They are merely imposters who want to tarnish the image of the party,” he said.