Some supporters of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) say they will never work with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change led by Douglas Mwonzora, which recalled parliamentarians and councilors resulting in the holding of by-elections a week ago.
They argue that Mwonzora should not be allowed to be part of the CCC machine that cruised to victory in the by-election even if Nelson Chamisa’s party did not win two crucial parliamentary seats.
Thabitha Khumalo, one of the CCC leaders, said, “It’s frightening to hear some people suggesting that we should form a coalition with Mwonzora before the next elections. We are where we are today because of Mwonzora and Thokozani Khupe. We can’t work with such people. People rejected them long back, they rejected them in the recent by-elections and continue rejecting them right now.
“We just had by-elections in which people expressed their feelings. It’s important to have coalitions but people are saying we should not work hand in hand with Mwonzora and (Thokozani) Khupe. We can’t do what people don’t like.”
She said the current tense political situation was caused by Mwonzora and Khupe. “We have a situation where a snake sneaked into the house, swallowed all the kids and when we attempted to kill it we did not finish it off … And now we want it to be part of the family. No. You can’t bandage a snake because when it heals it will bite you.”
Mwonzora was unavailable for comment as he was not responding to calls and messages on his mobile phone.
But Witness Dube, information and publicity secretary of the MDC-T, said they are willing to work with all progressive people in Zimbabwe, including CCC, ahead of the general elections.
“The MDC-T’s foundations are on solidarity and togetherness in order to achieve our goals. That’s the reason we contested the recent by-elections as MDC Alliance which comprises six political parties. We have realized that when we go for elections, it’s important to work with other political parties or any organizations with the same vision of transforming Zimbabwe. We can work with any political party that opposes Zanu PF in order to bring change.”
Political commentators – Nhlanhla Moses Ncube and Effie Dlela Ncube, agreed that it’s important for all opposition parties to form coalition ahead of the 2023 general elections, noting that it will be difficult for the MDC-T and CCC to work together in an attempt to unseat Zanu PF.