By Panashe Kaseke
Zimbabwe’s opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has severed ties with the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party he founded in 2022.
This comes after his elected members of parliament and councillors were being recalled by Sengezo Tshabangu, the self-proclaimed CCC Interim Secretary General.
In a long statement released today, 25 January 2024, Chamisa announced that he no longer has anything to do with CCC.
“Fellow citizens, this is to officially, and under my hand, inform you, that, with immediate effect, I no longer have anything to do with CCC,” he said.
“I’m aware that our beloved country is going through very difficult and challenging circumstances, politically, economically and socially. The majority of the citizens are flocking into the diaspora. Those who are home are hustling for a living with great toil yet without a fair return. Things are hard. Life is difficult. But this must and will soon come to an end.”
He highlights various issues surrounding the electoral process, including pre-election problems, intimidation, violence, and the refusal to implement reforms. He emphasizes the lack of credibility in the August 23, 2023 elections, pointing out irregularities, voter suppression, and the subsequent efforts to consolidate authoritarianism.
“You may also have noticed our resolve notwithstanding a lot of challenges to enter the election race which we did under protest and against all odds.
“You noticed the intimidation and violence unleashed on the citizens of Zimbabwe during and after the elections, particularly in rural Zimbabwe.
“You would have noticed bizarre events that occured on the day of voting where despite ZEC preparing for the election for 5 years, failed to deliver voting ballots and materials timeously, or at all.
“You would have noticed and witnessed the balanced and authentic election observers reports including SADC, AU, Commonwealth, EU, and notably the SADC and AU reports which condemned the electoral process and the outcome and declared it an almost non-event,” he said.
