MDC-T defections used to push Khuphe out of the party

The reported recent defections by MDC-T members in Bulawayo to the Welshman Ncube-led MDC remain insignificant, but the party must work to stem the tide.

Analysts say the defections are used by senior party members within the MDC-T to try to push Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khuphe, who is the party's vice-president, out of the party.

A total of 254 MDC-T members have in the past two months publicly defected to MDC leading to speculation that Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s party might be losing its grip in the city.

Analysts say it was too early to say MDC-T was losing grip in Bulawayo because of defections.

Political analyst Zenzele Ndebele said the defections were used by senior party members within the MDC-T to try to push Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khuphe, who is the party's vice-president, out of the party.

"MDC should be careful otherwise they might be used to settle a score with Khupe by some senior members within MDC-T," he said.

"They should be careful because those defections might turn out to be a hoax and they will be left with egg on faces."

However, another analyst Dumisani Nkomo, said the defections should be a wake-up call on the MDC-T, as there was a feeling that the party had a "lukewarm" attitude towards issues to do with Matabeleland.

"This could be an indication of the MDC-T losing relevance. However, Ncube's MDC success will not rest on the number of defectors, but the silent and dormant vote resident with the youth," Nkomo said.

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