Zanu PF has stepped-up its campaigns for the forthcoming by-elections, amid state-media reports that several members of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai in Dangamvura-Chikanga constituency have defected to President Robert Mugabe's party.
The defections allegedly occurred at a weekend rally addressed by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko and other senior party officials.
The defectors include Nyanga South councillor and provincial secretary for finance Viola Tongoona, former deputy national treasurer of the Women’s League, Thokozani Bote, and Irene Chigayo, the secretary for information and publicity in Dangamvura.
However, MDC-T spokesman Obert Gutu said that these members had already left the MDC-T for the Renewal Team.
Renewal Team spokesman Jacob Mafume said the defectors are not members of his party as they remained with the MDC-T during the formation of his party.
Mapfume said he is not surprised that his former party is losing members because of its “undemocratic tendencies.”