CCC: Candidate vetting or witch-hunting
Chamisa takes aim at Biti, Sikhaka, Hwende, Hamauswa
Change (CCC) leader, Nelson Chamisa is interfering with duties of that party’s Candidate Independent Selection Process (CISP) and has directed that five Harare sitting legislators be disqualified from contesting on behalf of that party in this year’s elections.
A source who spoke to this publication said that Chamisa had a vendetta against some sitting CCC legislators whom he accused of being disloyal to him and had since directed CCC interim director, Kudakwashe Matibiri to work with CISP to cause the disqualification of these Members of Parliament (MPs) ahead of this year’s plebiscite.
“The truth is that mukuru (Chamisa) is interfering with the duties of the CISP. He is interfering with the candidate selection process through Matibiri. Matibiri has since been instructed by Chamisa to closely work with CISP and cause the disqualification of some sitting legislators,” said the source.
The source said that CCC MPs earmarked for disqualification include Tendai Biti (Harare East), Murisi Zwizwai (Harare Central), James Chidhakwa (Mabvuku-Tafara), Charlton Hwende (Kuwadzana East) and Shakespeare Hamauswa (Warren Park).
The source added that the political life of Harare West legislator, Joana Mamombe and Budiriro legislator, Costa Machingauta were also hanging by a thread as Chamisa suspects them of belonging to the Sesedza Movement, a faction within CCC that is against his leadership.
According to the source, Chamisa further directed that Dzivarasekwa legislator, Edwin Mushoriwa and Kuwadzana legislator, Johnson Matambo should not be allowed to sail through the nomination process without any hustle.
The same source added that Chamisa wanted to surround himself with young legislators who would be loyal to him.
“Mukuru (Chamisa) wants to surround himself with MPs who would follow his orders in parliament. That’s why he is directing CISP to disqualify some senior members so that they would not be a burden to him. Only those in good books with Chamisa will sail through this candidate selection process,” said the source.
Meanwhile, CCC candidate nomination process has since been dismissed as an academic exercise as Chamisa was disregarding that process choosing to handpick his preferred candidates to represent that party in this year’s elections.