Bulawayo — STUNG by defections from his party to the Professor Welshman Ncube-led faction, MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai has reportedly called for a crisis meeting with the defectors here next week. Mr Tsvangirai has reportedly sent representatives to invite the defectors for "talks" at Stanley Hall in Makokoba on Tuesday.

A total of 84 people from Makokoba constituency left the party last week and joined the Prof Ncube-led MDC.

The issue has been sending shockwaves through MDC-T, ever since the defectors were unveiled.

A number of the defectors, who were afraid to speak to the Press, following threats from MDC-T youths, said they had been invited to the meeting.

"Senior colleagues that we used to work with at the MDC-T approached me on Wednesday and said Morgan (PM Tsvangirai) wanted to meet us on Tuesday so that we can iron out our differences," said the defector.

Another person who also defected said she had been asked to organise her colleagues for the meeting.

"I have been asked to spread the word. I have already told some of my friends.

"However, whatever we will discuss at the meeting, I will not go back to the MDC-T because Ms Khupe treated us like dogs. On top of that, her youths are threatening to beat us up," said the woman.

"MDC-T will never abandon their culture of violence. We want to tell Tsvangirai that we will not be intimidated by the party's threats of violence. If he wants to have members, he should start treating people with respect," said another defector.