Former MDC Alliance Matabeleland South chairperson Watchy Sibanda, who had defected to the MDC-T then led by Thokozani Khupe, was re-admitted into the Nelson Chamisa party last week.

At a meeting held in Gwanda, the Matabeleland South MDC Alliance provincial executive also welcomed back about 450 members, who had followed Sibanda to MDC-T.

Ntando Ndlela, MDC Alliance Matabeleland South spokesperson, told The Standard that Sibanda had brought with him the whole district leadership of MDC-T in Matobo North.

Ndlela challenged Mwonzora to try and have a meeting or mini rally in Matabeleland if he wanted to see that he has no followers in the region.

“People want change here,” he said.

“They want closure to the unresolved Gukurahundi conflict and cannot stomach all those who support perpetrators of the genocide,” he said.

“The people are clear the best foot forward in that regard is president Chamisa.”

Mwonzora left the MDC Alliance last year after the Supreme Court ruled that Chamisa’s succession of MDC founder Morgan Tsvangirai was illegal.

The Manicaland senator beat Khupe for the presidency of the party at an extraordinary congress in December last year.