MDC-T Binga North legislator Dubeko Prince Sibanda has dismissed claims that he has joined the MDC Renewal Team, insisting he has no intention of joining Tendai Biti and company.
Party secretary general, Biti, and other disgruntled leaders ditched Morgan Tsvangirai after the former premier refused to step down and allow “leadership renewal” following the MDC-T’s disastrous showing in last year’s elections.
Sibanda was earlier this week reported to have defected to the Renewal Team along with two other MDC-T legislators, Albert Mhlanga and Gladys Mathe.
However, addressing journalists at a press conference in Bulawayo, Sibanda said he can only join MDC-Renewal Team on condition that MDC-T leader Tsvangirai was part of the group.
“If the president of the MDC-T says let us join the Renewal Team because they seem to be doing better than us the original MDC-T, I would consider doing so although it would be against my volition,” said Sibanda.
Another condition that could see him joining the rival group was if constituents in Binga North, “the ones who elected me”, demand that he makes the switch, adding “but again it will be against my own volition.”
“Who says there are angels in the Renewal Team? What if you find that there are problems there as well, what do you do? What do you become if you quit again?” he asked.
“I will remain part of MDC-T even if I can see that I am being targeted by certain individuals. I won't mind. Nobody can push me out of MDC-T because nobody pushed me in and I will remain there.”
Sibanda said recent reports that he has joined the MDC-Renewal Team were a mere misrepresentation of facts and mudslinging game by those seeking to boost the numbers in their camp.
He said speculation that he had joined the MDC Renewal Team was not only misplaced but seriously malicious and that “there is no basis for it”.