By Rungano Dzikira

As the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC-A) continues to crumble like a deck of cards, a dozen Gwanda and Kwekwe councillors yesterday defected to the Khupe-led MDC, piling more misery on Nelson Chamisa.

For the MDC-A leader, Chamisa, who recently lost his mother, 2020 looks certainly like a year to forget.

Early this year, Chamisa lost a constitutional case against Thokozani Khupe and was chucked out of party headquarters, Harvest house. Ever since, legislators and councillors alike, jumped ship to join arch rival Khupe.

MDC-T Secretary for Women Assembly Mbizo district, Rita Munyorovi – Svova confirmed that three councillors from wards 2, 11 and 12 in Kwekwe crossed the floor.

“They all belong to MDC-T. In fact they must not make the mistake of following an individual (Nelson Chamisa) but should follow the party MDC-T. People should read and understand the constitution of the MDC-T,” she said.

Contacted for comment, MDC-A Midlands secretary for Information, Dr Takavafira Zhou said as a democratic party, they were not moved by the defection of councillors and legislators to the MDC-T and were ready to field candidates in the event of by-elections.

“In politics there is freedom of association and disassociation, we don’t have any problem with them, in fact we wish them good luck. But we foresee them coming back,” he said.

Political analyst, Ratmond Mwando said if the rate of defectors continues unabated, Chamisa looks set to be a lone ranger by year end.

“It’s clear for all to see. Legislators and councillors are more concerned about their welfare than loyalty to Chamisa. It looks like it’s about the money and nothing else.

“In any case, opposition politics is not about service to the country, it’s about personal benefit,” he said.

Gwanda municipality, which has six MDC-A councillors, also met with the MDC-T acting national spokesperson, Khaliphani Phugeni where Mayor, Councillor Jastone Mazhale confirmed defection of all six councillors to MDC-T.

This exodus of councillors also includes a trio of Epworth councillors (Batanai Masunda, Gift July and Joshua Chinonyengerwa) who also defected, this July.

The Khupe-led MDC-T has so far recalled at least 22 legislators from both the national assembly and senate as well as several councillors.

The recalled Legislators continued to lose privileges, the latest being the cancellation of their diplomatic passports.