Political Reporter

The opposition camp, aligned with former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa, recently faced a significant setback as it attempts to collect 10 000 signatures for a petition challenging the nomination of CCC candidates for the legislature fell short.

The petition was reportedly aimed at challenging the list of nominated CCC Bulawayo candidates published in the Government Gazette on February 9, 2024. Faction intended to submit the petition at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the inability to secure the required number of signatures signals significant disarray within the Chamisa camp.

"There is confusion within Chamisa's camp, and the failure to gather 10 000 signatures was a clear indication of growing dissent within his camp," the source revealed.

The source added that Chamisa's ally in Bulawayo, Gedion Shoko, who was tasked with spearheading the signature campaign, was left frustrated as they only managed to gather a meagre 1,772 signatures, falling far short of the intended target.

The failure to rally sufficient support for the petition has raised concerns about Chamisa's standing within his stronghold of Bulawayo.

Political commentator Edith Mushore weighed in on the matter, suggesting that the lack of momentum behind Chamisa's initiatives could signify a waning influence in the region.

"The inability to garner 10,000 signatures is indicative of Chamisa's diminishing support base, particularly in Bulawayo. Members might be feeling disillusioned or betrayed by Chamisa's recent resignation from the party, contributing to the growing disunity within his camp," Mushore observed.

Meanwhile, Chamisa’s leadership faces mounting scrutiny and internal challenges, raising doubts about his capacity to galvanise support and mount a credible opposition to the government.

With the spectre of disunity looming large, the road ahead for Chamisa and his supporters appears fraught with obstacles, potentially reshaping the dynamics of Zimbabwean opposition politics in the days to come.