Sipepa Nkomo promised the vice presidency at ZimPF

OPPOSITION People's Democratic Party (PDP) faces a massive exodus of senior members in Matabeleland region amid reports that its vice president Dr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo on Thursday announced he was crossing over to Dr Joice Mujuru's Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF).

According to State media, Dr Sipepa Nkomo has allegedly been promised the vice presidency at ZimPF. He held a closed door meeting at the homestead of one of the party's senior members at Lusumbani Village in Hwange where he reportedly announced to senior party provincial members his decision to dump PDP and join ZimPF.

In attendance were his wife Mrs Roseline Sipepa Nkomo, PDP deputy national organising secretary Mr Gift Mabhena, Matabeleland North deputy organising secretary Mr Faza Mpunzi, Mrs Selina Mbewe, Mr Mehluli Sibanda and Mr Lucky Ndlovu.

Insiders say Dr Sipepa Nkomo's decision follows the failure by Dr Mujuru and PDP leader Mr Tendai Biti to agree on the terms of a coalition. Mr Biti reportedly wants to be president of the alliance but Dr Mujuru would have none of it.  She promised Dr Sipepa Nkomo the post of vice president as well as five senior executive positions for Matabeleland region.

PDP spokesperson Mr Jacob Mafume said he wasn't aware of the Hwange meeting and Mr Sipepa Nkomo's defection.