Staff Reporter
The Nelson Chamisa led MDC-Alliance last week suffered another huge blow after six of its high ranking officials from Mutare and Mutasa districts defected to the ruling ZANU-PF, citing lack of direction and inconsistent policies by the opposition leader.
The six who defected are former Mutare Central Constituency Coordinating Committee (CCC) Secretary, Paulina Hendeni Mutare Central CCC Secretary for Recruitment Pamela Mutare, Dangamvura- Chikanga CCC Vice Chairperson, Toperesa Rukuni, Dangamvura-Chikanga CCC Youth Assembly Secretary, Pamela Chadambuka, Mutasa South CCC Secretary for Information and Publicity, Washington Mashangwa and Mutare Central CCC Secretary for Security, Usani Nehara.
The six were welcomed by ZANU-PF Mutare District Coordinating Committee Chairman Benali Yard and Secretary for Women Affairs Lorraine Mukodza.
“You are all welcome to the ruling party ZANU-PF, remember the ruling party is the permanent home to all. President Emmerson Mnangagwa is an accommodative and loving father whose policies are favourable to everyone. We know very well that you will be victimised by the MDC-Alliance leadership for your noble decision. We all know that the opposition party is a violent party and they will definitely follow up on you, but let me promise you that we are there to protect you,” said Yard.
Senior MDC-Alliance officials who first made headlines after defecting to the ruling party include Lilian Timveous who was the MDC-Alliance deputy treasurer and senator for Zvishavane, former Kwekwe Central Legislator and MDC-T Secretary for Local Government, Blessing Chebundo among others.
Several MDC-Alliance Legislators and Councillors also defected to Douglas Mwonzora`s MDC-T citing toxic and divisive leadership.
In an MDC-Alliance Voter election results analysis training of trainers workshop held recently in Bulawayo, MDC-Alliance Executive Council member Decent Bajila bemoaned a sharp decline of the opposition party`s support base, a scenario he attributed to factional fights within that party. Delegates at the workshop cited parallel structures and fielding of double candidates as other factors contributing to the dwindling of the opposition party`s support base and the defections.
The MDC-Alliance`s factional fight pitting Chamisa and his deputy Tendai Biti, has divided the party`s benefactors over which horse to support ahead of the 2023 elections. The Ngaapinde hake mukomana slogan has failed to translate into action as more and more people are disembarking the opposition train.
Political analysts have warned that if the MDC-alliance didn`t change course and recalibrate its strategies, it risked being decimated by ZANU-PF in the 2023 general elections.
