The MDC-ALLIANCE leadership is under scrutiny from members and supporters following a string of recent defeats to the ruling party, Zanu-PF, this is according to state media.

The media claims that disgruntlement in the party, led by Nelson Chamisa, was loud and clear since the weekend defeat of the party in parliamentary and council by-elections in Matabeleland North.

According to the ruling ZANU PF aligned media, some MDC supporters blamed the loss on party secretary-general Chalton Hwende, who is accused of imposing candidates, failing to organise elections and coming up with tangible ideas that could be sold to voters.

A Teboka Maja, said the party lost because of its tribalism and imposition of candidates.

“Prepare for more losses to come. You gave Zanu-PF political mileage by your corruption and tribalism tendencies as what happened at Bulawayo City Council,” said Mr Maja.

This comes after the MDC was defeated by ZANU-PF in the Lupane East by-election over the weekend.

Mbongeni Dube of Zanu-PF garnered 6 369 votes while MDC-Alliance candidate Mr Dalumuzi Khumalo got 4 505 votes.

Zanu PF also retained two council seats in Bubi Ward 22 and Nkayi Ward 23, a few weeks after also winning council by-elections held in Bikita East’s Ward 31 and Nyanga South’s Ward 26.

In March, MDC also lost Bulawayo’s Ward 28 by-election, with ZANU-PF candidate Kidwell Mujuru defeating the party for the first since year 2000.

Said an unnamed state media source: “Tensions continue to rise in the MDC since party president Nelson Chamisa failed to meet a target of attracting 4,5 million votes in the 2018 during the July 30 general elections. The Lupane East by election loss has worsened temperatures in the party with most members fearing that if we continue like this, we could be extinct by 2023.”