By A Correspondent

While Zanu PF officials are celebrating what they call a significant shift in support, describing it as a major defection of opposition members to the ruling party, observers argue that this move is a direct result of ongoing economic hardships.

On Sunday, Zanu PF youth league member Taurai Kandishaya shared on his Facebook page:

“Over 200 opposition members in Chiredzi have defected to ZANU PF, from various opposition splinter groups, citing the Second Republic’s unprecedented economic development projects as the reason for their switch. This comes as the commissariat department is intensifying mobilisation efforts to solidify the Party structures. We are already winning 2030 elections.”

In response to these defections, former Masvingo Central MP Jeffryson Chitando remarked, “The citizens are hungry and as such they are forced to declare allegiance to Zanu PF for survival.”