Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu PF party has sensationally claimed that the majority of high-ranking officials in the opposition MDC Alliance-led by Nelson Chamisa are set to defect to the biggest opposition and join the ruling party by the end of 2021.

Recently, a senior official in Chamisa’s camp Lilian Timevos, an ardent follower of the outspoken opposition leader, made headlines when she crossed the floor and joined Zanu PF.

Zanu PF communications director Tafadzwa Mugwadi over the weekend confirmed that more senior MDC Alliance officials were also expected to dump Chamisa soon and join the former liberation movement. He predicted that two thirds of MDC Alliance were set to cross the floor by the end of 2021 have joined Zanu PF.

“Staying positive, focused and clear! By end of year, we expect to have received two thirds of the MDC Alliance standing committee and NEC (national executive committee) members to Zanu PF,” he said.

“You are all welcome. Remember only Zanu PF is the permanent home to all. See you at HQ!”

However, the MDC Alliance secretary general, Charlton Hwende said the opposition party was a natural target of the ruling party’s attack as its candidate, Chamisa, won the 2018 presidential election against Zanu PF’s nominee Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The MDC Alliance has not accepted Mnangagwa as the 2018 presidential winner accusing the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of rigging the election in his favour.

“Zanu PF has continued with its protracted war of attrition against the MDC Alliance and its leadership,” Hwende said.

“The regime is using our erstwhile colleagues who have left us and their moribund regime to attack and destablise the MDC Alliance through peddling malicious falsehoods and scurrilous allegations.