Political Reporter

Members of the Blue Movement, purportedly led by former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa, have expressed grievances over coercion to contribute funds for the purchase of Lavender Chiwaya’s tombstone.

Chiwaya was the MDC Alliance’s Hurungwe Ward 4 councillor who passed away in August 2020.

A source close to the situation has revealed that Chamisa’s Blue Movement Mashonaland West Province loyal to Chamisa, has been pressuring its members into donating money under the guise of solidarity and remembrance.

"Our commitment to honour the departed is unwavering, but the methods being employed to enforce contributions are dividing us," said the source.

According to the same source, a directive was issued specifically targeting Chamisa loyalists in the Province, mandating them to financially support the initiative to acquire tombstones for late members, including Chiwaya.

The source further detailed how reluctance to contribute, often due to financial hardship, has led to accusations of betrayal and sympathising with Sengezo Tshabangu, signalling a deepening rift within the opposition movement.

 "Those who hesitate to contribute towards the tombstones, even for valid reasons, are quickly branded as sell-outs. It's a distressing tactic that's creating unnecessary tension among us," the source added.

Plans are reportedly underway to unveil Chiwaya's tombstone next month in a ceremony expected to draw Blue Movement members from across the Province.

Attendees have been instructed to wear blue, symbolising their allegiance to Chamisa, who is reportedly contemplating launching a new political party to be named Blue Movement.

One opposition member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, voiced frustration over the politicisation of what they believe should be a private family matter.

"The burden of memorialising a loved one should fall on the family, not on the party or its members. It feels like we are being manipulated into supporting a cause that, while noble, diverts our focus from the real issues at hand," the member lamented.

The disgruntled member expressed further discontentment, highlighting the irony of being coerced into donating for a stranger's tombstone while his own relatives' graves remain unmarked.

Meanwhile, Chamisa has been taking advantage of funerals and other private gatherings to drum up support and chart his way forward.

Recently, he was in Chivi, Masvingo Province, for the funeral of the late Petronella Mukwende, and he reinforced claims that he was in talks with SADC concerning the ‘political stalemate' in Zimbabwe.