Masvingo — The MDC formation led by Professor Welshman Ncube has been hit by defections in Masvingo province with nearly 200 party supporters ditching the party last week to align with Professor Arthur Mutambara.

The desertions were reportedly sparked by the MDC's decision to fire five legislators from the party for their alleged links to MDC-T. Scores of former MDC supporters have been thronging Prof Mutambara's party offices in Masvingo surrendering their party's green t-shirts after expressing lack of confidence in Prof Ncube's leadership. Some of the defectors were also accusing Prof Ncube of having dictatorial tendencies by firing elected party officials wily nilly yet Prof Ncube lost in the last elections.

"We no longer support Welshman (MDC-N leader Ncube). We are now joining forces with Prof Mutambara," said one of the disgruntled supporters from Mucheke suburb who refused to be named.

The Mutambara faction's national organising secretary Mr Rabson Mashiri yesterday said the defections to Prof Mutambara's party were a vote of no confidence in Prof Ncube's leadership.

"The people are not fools and they have been watching and they are now saying enough is enough. How can Prof Ncube be so ruthless to an extent of firing five legislators for siding with another party (MDC-T)? We are talking of elected officials here," charged Mr Mashiri.