Biti ally defects to Mujuru

THE Tendai Biti-led People's Democratic Party (PDP) suffered a major setback on Sunday after its national deputy chairperson and 10 party members defected to former Vice-President Joice Mujuru's Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) party.

PDP deputy national chairman Watchy Sibanda and 10 other party members from Matabeleland South province announced their move to ZimPF at a function held at Dombodema village in Bulilima West.

ZimPF interim national Information and Publicity Committee chair Methuseli Moyo confirmed the defections.

"Sibanda and others were yesterday (Sunday) welcomed into the party at a private brief function held at Dombodema village in Bulilima West by ZimPF interim national organiser Dzikamai Mavhaire and fellow national party leaders Christopher Ndiweni and myself," he said.

"ZimPF welcomes Sibanda and the rest of the new members with both hands.

"This is yet another milestone in our journey to build a truly inclusive and rooted movement to attain power and bring change to Zimbabwe in 2018. We have no doubt that ZimPF is the party of choice and will attract more and more Zimbabweans going forward."
But PDP provincial spokesperson, Edwin Ndlovu yesterday professed ignorance about the defections.

"We are not aware that the said members have joined ZimPF. They haven't notified us as a party but nevertheless, we are working with People First to form a grand coalition come 2018, therefore, we don't have a problem if it is true," he said.

"As PDP, we are working on uniting all opposition political parties. We would be worried if people join Zanu PF."