Zimbabwe’s leader of the biggest opposition party says he has left the Citizens Coalition for Change, which he claims have been taken over by the ruling Zanu PF party in conjunction with a bogus secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu following its humiliation in some regions in the August general elections.
In a statement, Chamisa said, “This is to officially, and under my hand, inform you fellow citizens of Zimbabwe and the world, that, with immediate effect, I no longer have anything to do with CCC. As a patriot, I remain active in public service. I also remain a loyal citizen listener, freedom advocate, a citizens’ champion and leader.”
He added that he not abandoning politics, noting that all citizens should rally behind fresh politics, new politics and genuine fresh and credible leaders who want to serve and not to be served.
“ZANU PF can take everything that we sweated for, take the party and its name, take the money and whoever is a beneficiary of this fraud, is a certified fraudster.,” said Chamisa, accusing President Emmerson Mnangagwa of hijacking the opposition party following what he described as a sham election.
He said the original CCC idea has been “contaminated, bastardized, hijacked by ZANU PF through the abuse of State institutions. CCC has not been aligned to its founding Purpose and Mandate. Further, CCC has now been rendered an extension of and been taken over by ZANU PF. CCC has, to all intents and purposes, been criminally handed over to ZANU PF.”
He further said the ruling party has completely destroyed Zimbabwe for personal benefits.
“Our politics has been defiled by schemes of personal aggrandizement upon a runaway pursuit of politics of positions, title, benefits, trinkets and trappings of office. A contaminated, bastardized, hijacked CCC cannot deliver a New Great Zimbabwe! But then God’s grace is sufficient! Indeed God is in it.
“However, it is not like Zanu PF is unconquerable, this Zanu Pf you see today, you will see it no more. Our God has opened a new way. Unfortunately, the road is narrow and I have to meet the demands of my assignment. The citizens of Zimbabwe will be set free from the hands of oppression. “
The ruling party has not yet responded to Chamisa’s move as Zanu PF spokesperson Farai Marapira was not responding to calls on his mobile phone.
Reacting to Chamisa’s move, Tshabangu’s spokesperson, Khaliphani Pugeni, said this is a great setback for Zimbabwe.
Pugeni said, “From a leadership point of view I think it’s an indictment for both parties because there is no winner here. It’s a reversal of all the gains that have been done since the democratic struggle from 1999. It’s a reversal of all those gains which culminated in the making of the 2013 constitution. I don’t know what happened to dialogue, many dialogues that people were touted about that people were talking and I don’t understand why they allowed this to collapse and find ourselves where we are.
“I know others are quick to say we can’t negotiate with Zanu (PF). It’s a problem. Remember this issue in reality started in 2019 when Doctor (Thokozani) Khupe was supported to succeed Morgan Tsvangirai. She was left practically with just a few of us and all of the leadership of then opposition sided with Nelson Chamisa including (Douglas) Mwonzora that today they want to donate to us … And then Mwonzora left then he became Zanu.”
Pugeni questioned Chamisa’s latest move. “This new movement what is to say they are not going to suffer the same predicament where we have comrades that are being called Zanu and sellouts and all those things. So, I really think that it’s an indictment for factions. They really have dialogued around these matters. I don’t see how this can be a win or sustainable solution.
Ruling party director of information and communications Farayi Marapira said Zanu PF has nothing to do with fissures in the opposition CCC.
It's still unclear of what will happen to current CCC parliamentarians and councillor currently under Chamisa. But some have already indicated that they will follow him.
In a message of X, Mount Pleasant Member of Parliament Fadzayi Mahere is one of them.
She said, "There’s no legitimate CCC without our Change Champion in Chief. There’s no legitimate Parliament without respect for the will of the people. I stand by Adv @nelsonchamisa’s fighting for true democracy and better lives for all Zimbabweans. To those who believed, voted and supported, I owe you my deepest gratitude. I will be communicating with you directly soon to map a way forward."
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