Chamisa a despot: Ncube

Joseph Madzimure

CCC interim president Professor Welshman Ncube has criticised former opposition leader Mr Nelson Chamisa for undermining democratic principles in the opposition causing serious divisions within the rank and file of the political outfit.

In a discussion on X’s Spaces, Professor Ncube labelled Mr Chamisa a “dictator” who had reduced the opposition party into a one-man organisation.

“When you are in the struggle for democracy, when you say you are a democratic alternative, that you will govern democratically, that by definition means that you must be organised democratically yourselves.

“When you say you are the only leader with authority over everything, you become the dear leader. You are the president and chief spokesperson. 

“You are the secretary general. You are the treasurer general. You direct the closure of all party accounts. You operate without any known party accounts. There are no financial oversight procedures and mechanisms,” said Prof Ncube.

He added that Mr Chamisa lacks democratic ways of making decisions at all levels.

“You are structureless. You have no democratic ways of making decisions at all levels. One person with runners makes all the decisions. 

“It becomes extremely difficult. No rational person should be asked to believe that you can be a completely autocratic, authoritarian when in opposition, then be democratic when in government.”

Prof Ncube attributed the party’s decline to the lack of political ideology and visible organisational structures. During the 2023 harmonised elections, a number of seasoned politicians in the opposition ranks such as Tendai Biti were barred from contesting after Mr Chamisa imposed his preferred candidates.