Staff Reporter

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)’s bid to discredit the outcome of the Harmonised General Elections, slated for 23 August 2023, escalates as that party continues in its smear campaign targeting Zanu PF, badmouthing the party to foreign observers.

A source who spoke to this publication highlighted that the CCC leadership was disparaging ZANU PF to foreign observers such as the European Union Elections Observer Mission (EU-EOM) and other foreign journalists in a bid to pre-empt the foreign observer`s report.

According to the source, the CCC lied that the opposition party was given the Sports Oval Ground rather than the bigger Sakubva Stadium to conduct its Star rally because ZANU PF wanted to frustrate that party ahead of the forthcoming August elections. The source disclosed that Sakubva Stadium was undergoing extensive refurbishment to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) standards so that Zimbabwe could host international football matches and that Sakubva Stadium has been closed since April 2023.

“It is so sad to note that the CCC is now taking advantage of the EU-EOM observers who are in the country to fulfill their subversive agenda. Last week, CCC held their Star rally in Mutare and we all know that Sakubva Stadium is under renovation to meet CAF and ZIFA standards, all activities in Mutare Central constituency are being conducted at Sports Oval Ground.

“Surprisingly, one CCC supporter was heard ill-informing the EUEOM observers and the Eswatini activists who had attended the Star rally that the Zanu PF members had influenced the City of Mutare to deny CCC use of Sakubva Stadium. It is clear that the CCC is working to tarnish the image of Zanu PF and its leadership, this is intolerable,” said the source.

Meanwhile, the CCC is also engaging in a plot meant to provoke Zanu PF members in a bid to frustrate them into retaliation for the foreign observers to write adverse reports on violence implicating the party.

Last month, one CCC sympathizer who is also Chegutu Chicken Inn branch manager was seen physically assaulting a ZANU PF member who was placing President Emmerson Mnangagwa`s campaign posters near the fast-food outlet.  In another incident, a Zanu PF member, Raphael Ndlovu was axed on the face by a CCC member, Lihlohonolo Magabo at Magwegwe West bus terminus on 06 July 2023, after the latter attacked the former for wearing the ruling party regalia.