Staff Reporter
An impeccable source has informed this publication that CCC interim Vice President,Tendai Biti is going to stand as an independent following his failure to get a ticket to represent that party in Harare East.
Biti failed to sail through the candidate nomination process. Biti and his allies suspect that the party leader, Nelson Chamisa had a hand in his unsuccessful bid.
Biti lost to Allan Markham during that party`s candidate nomination process held during the weekend.
“Biti had already seen through the machinations that were being engineered by Chamisa. He saw it coming, thus he had already positioned himself for this development. He is going to stand as an independent,” said the source.
The source went on to reveal that Biti would go with a couple of other seasoned opposition politicians in tow. He said Biti had already been funding his allies in their bid to secure nominations. The source said Biti donated USD$ 1000 to each aspiring legislator loyal to him. Biti, the source said, also doled out USD$500 to his loyalists in local authority race.
Among Biti`s beneficiaries are, Glenview North aspiring Councillor, Moses Manyengavan, Highfield Councillor-Gilbert Mbwende, Glenview South Councillor- Gladmore Hakata, Harare Central- Willias Madzimure, and Dzivarasekwa-Edwin Mushorwa.
He also funded the bid for Budiriro North Councillor-Susan Matsenga,Sunningdale Councillor-Maureen Kademaunga,Harare Ward 17 councillor-Jacob Mafume and Harare Ward 28 councillor-Dumisani Makwanya.
Biti`s camp is, however, divided over their principal`s decision to stand as an independent.
One section of the camp thinks that it would be more prudent for Biti to accept the senatorial post and go on to challenge Chamisa for that party`s leadership during its envisaged inaugural congress expected after the 23 August harmonized election.
An analyst, Tendai Chikohora, says Biti`s faction is fully aware that Chamisa is not going to win the election. They therefore know that they still have great chances of wrestling power from Chamisa. Chikohora says their chances are high considering the loss of confidence in Chamisa by their erstwhile benefactors such as the US.
The West has shifted support from Chamisa whom they accuse of being a coward, clueless and directionless. They view Biti as a better horse to bet for.
