Nelson Chamisa rejects pressure to form new party, advocates for broad-based movement
Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader, Nelson Chamisa, has declared that he will not succumb to pressure and establish another political party. According to Chamisa, he already enjoys the support of over two million Zimbabweans who are backing his leadership. Instead, he aims to lead a diverse movement encompassing all Zimbabweans, including dissatisfied members of ZANU PF, who are disillusioned with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule.
Chamisa said his decision to part ways with CCC was prompted by the party’s significant infiltration by ZANU PF and its proxies.
Sengezo Tshabangu destabilized the party when he assumed the role of interim secretary-general. He proceeded to recall numerous CCC Members of Parliament, senators, and councillors, leading to by-elections. However, Tshabangu went a step further by preventing the recalled members from participating in the by-elections. In response, Chamisa released a statement last Thursday clarifying his disassociation from CCC, effectively putting speculations about the party’s future to rest.
During an exclusive interview with The Standard, Chamisa emphasized that he remains an active politician with the support of over two million people who are committed to unseating ZANU PF. He intends to engage with other political players to establish a “broad movement” aimed at challenging ZANU PF’s dominance. Chamisa emphasized that beyond political parties, the focus should be on uniting Zimbabwe as one cohesive entity, transcending partisan boundaries. He believes that individuals from various political parties, including ZANU PF, possess the potential to contribute to the country’s prosperity and transform it into a haven of peace.
Recent speculation fuelled by CCC deputy spokesperson Gift Siziba suggested that Chamisa was on the brink of forming a new political party after losing control of CCC to Tshabangu. However, several CCC lawmakers, senators, and councillors reaffirmed their unwavering loyalty to Chamisa on Friday. Fadzayi Mahere, the CCC MP for Mt Pleasant, announced her intention to leave CCC in solidarity with Chamisa and plans to submit her resignation to Parliament this week.
Chamisa expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he has received, dispelling misconceptions that he had abandoned his supporters. He reassured them that he is resolute in his commitment to their cause and invited all like-minded individuals to join him. Chamisa stressed that he possesses the necessary confidence, mandate, authority, and power from the millions who voted for him, including those who were unable to cast their ballots.
In response to Chamisa’s departure, Sengezo Tshabangu announced that the party would hold a meeting to address internal party matters and engage Chamisa in hopes of convincing him to reconsider his decision. Tshabangu also mentioned the possibility of Chamisa being held accountable for party assets if reconciliation efforts fail. Chamisa dismissed the notion, stating that CCC had no significant assets and that he personally financed his activities, including travel and rallies.
“What handover and takeover?” he said.
“Where did you hear a party president managing the party’s funds?
“CCC was being run on a voluntary basis, without offices. CCC was renting.
“The only assets CCC had were the MPs and councillors, who were elected by the people.
“If anything I used my own resources to travel to conduct rallies and many more. “It’s a sacrifice. It was a struggle.”
Chamisa founded CCC in January 2022 after being ousted from the MDC Alliance by Douglas Mwonzora. He had previously contested the 2018 presidential election under the MDC Alliance banner. Chamisa remains optimistic about the Southern African Development Community’s involvement in addressing Zimbabwe’s political challenges, as he had formally approached them regarding the disputed election.
“Sadc is seized with the matter (of the disputed election) because we wrote to them about the issue.”
George Charamba, Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, alleged on his former Twitter account that Chamisa’s former CCC colleagues, Welshman Ncube and Tendai Biti, would demand accountability for donations allegedly received by the party from Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and the European Union. Ncube and Biti have consistently distanced themselves from Tshabangu, amidst allegations that he serves as a proxy for the ruling party and state security institutions seeking to dismantle the opposition in order to create a one party state.
