Citizens’ Coalition for Change in tatters

Nqobile Bhebhe

HIGHLY chaotic, confused and catastrophic survival political tactics amply sum up the struggling opposition, Citizen’s Coalition for Change (CCC), as it openly limps to an obvious crushing defeat in the forthcoming harmonised elections which are set to be held between July 26 and August 26 this year.

As the country draws closer to the elections, the ruling Zanu-PF led by President Mnangagwa has already concluded its election of preferred candidates from local authorities, National Assembly and presidential.

The candidates are already on the ground with the people, galvanising structures which are the backbone of any party and holding mobilisation meetings before launching full-scale campaigns.

The successful completion of the Zanu-PF primary elections well ahead of the announcement of the election date, let alone the nomination court, speaks volumes of the firm commitment, readiness, and desire to resoundingly win the polls.

On the other hand, the opposition pact, combined, is still in tatters, raising views from its rank and file and with observers saying it is struggling to get candidates to match the Zanu-PF’s stellar line-up.

Advocate Nelson Chamisa who leads the CCC outfit has not hidden from his followers that the grouping is shying away from having “visible structures” on claims that they create room for infiltration by the ruling party.

Some citizens are publicly turning down nominations and distancing themselves miles away from the formation.

A classic example of flourishing confusion is of Bulawayo lawyer, Mr Sindiso Mazibisa tipped to represent the formation as Member of Parliament for the Magwegwe-Lobengula constituency declining the nomination and distancing himself from the rank and file of the political outfit.

“I, Sindiso Shepherd Mazibisa, would like to appreciate the people-driven process that saw a certain section of the residents of Magwegwe-Lobengula constituency acknowledging the community work I have done in the area in my individual capacity and in the capacity of community institutions I am associated with, leading them to nominate me to be a Member of Parliament nominee under the opposition Citizen’s Coalition for Change (CCC).

“Regrettably, directly or indirectly, I am not part of the CCC or any of its associated organisations or agencies. I humbly decline the nomination and distance myself from any current or future participation within the CCC organisation whether be it Member of Parliament nominee for Magwegwe-Lobengula constituency or whatever position that the members of the organisation may desire me to participate as,” said Mr Mazibisa in a widely circulated letter.

Mr Mazibisa’s move to distance himself from the CCC outfit heightened debate that the grouping is struggling to attract candidates hence resorting to fishing around residents not associated with it.

On paper, Advocate Chamisa’s movement still in its political infancy, said it will not hold primary elections to pick candidates opting to lay down thresholds for one to stand as a candidate.

The process has four stages which include nomination, verification, stakeholder consultations and a citizen caucus where candidates will be expected to deliver a manifesto.

Recently, CCC spokesperson Advocate Fadzai Mahere in a statement said one of the key deliverables for her movement’s 2023 Agenda was to come up with legislators and councillors to stand in all 210 constituencies and 1 971 wards throughout the country.

“We can confirm that the process has proceeded smoothly. Candidates have been successfully nominated and vetted for each of these seats,” she claimed.

“Stakeholders have been consulted. We are currently at the citizen caucus stage where citizens will have a say on who will be the best representative for each respective community.”

However, since the four-stage process began several weeks ago, not a single ward or constituency has had its candidate announced, a further firm confirmation of “smoothly” struggling to attract candidates in the process increasing frustration from a few sympathisers.

For convenience’s sake, the outfit has raised “an interference” tag accusing Zanu-PF of throwing spanners on a structure-less band.

The candidate nomination process which kicked off amid chaos is overseen by a Citizen Independent Selection Panel (CISP), an election directorate led by Ian Makone.

To add more confusion, in late April, CCC deputy spokesperson Gift Siziba said they had a strict selection criteria that may see some aspiring candidates, even sitting legislators, falling by the wayside.

He indicated “the final list of our candidates this week”, interestingly, the said “week” has long passed with no announcement made.

While CCC and other opposition parties are groping in the dark in the aftermath of Zanu- PF internal party elections, President Mnangagwa wasted no time in rallying his troops to close ranks and work together to ensure a landslide victory in the forthcoming polls.

Speaking at the Zanu-PF Youth League National Assembly held recently under the theme, “Re-energising the Zanu-PF Vanguard for a 2023 Landslide Victory” — President Mnangagwa reminded the league that “there are no losers and winners. It is the party which ultimately wins during our internal democratic processes.”

As such, the party and the people always come first, he stressed.

“This is the discipline that must be exhibited by all card-carrying members. You are therefore directed to close ranks to achieve the victory of the party,” President Mnangagwa said.

To ensure a landslide Zanu-PF victory, President Mnangagwa said youths must continue working with various affiliate groups to mobilise support for the ruling party in the spirit of the party’s Huyai Kumusha/Buyani Ekhaya programme.

There is a stampede from people countrywide to associate with the Zanu-PF brand.

Some of the affiliates include Young Women4ED, Men BelievED, Farmers4ED, Artists4ED, Pastors4ED, Miners4ED, Mapostori 4ED, War Veterans Association, Councillors4ED, Teachers4ED among a host of others.

The ruling party is targeting to mobilise five million votes to ensure a resounding victory in this year’s elections.

With the pronouncement of election day not yet made, the ruling party is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to lure the masses to consolidate its emphatic win.

All provinces from the ward level are regularly holding meetings, and sports galas to scale up their campaign momentum.

On the other hand, Advocate Chamisa continuously broadcasts on social media platforms about having strategies and plans and constantly smuggles in God in his election speech.

This leads one to ask; does the secretive formation with no known organisational structure have the stamina to lead the country, whose independence was hard won?

One won’t be mistaken to boldly declare a NO, from all 10 provinces and across borders but point to the maintenance of the status quo — with Zanu-PF leading the country.