Staff Reporter
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) stands on the brink of thrusting the nation into turmoil with plans to stage widespread demonstrations in the wake of the recent elections. They allege that these polls were rigged in favour of ZANU PF.
Drawing inspiration from recent regional events, an insider revealed the CCC's intention to mirror the actions of opposition members in Mozambique. The latter recently expressed their dissent on the streets against alleged election irregularities, despite the electoral process not yet being completed and no official winner announced.
Delving deeper, the source pointed out that CCC handlers were exerting pressure on the CCC to orchestrate countrywide protests.
"The ultimate aim seems to be twofold, first, to make the country ungovernable, and second, to set the stage for possible interventions from regional bodies such as SADC and the African Union," the source stated.
Supporting these claims, Change Radio, a platform associated with CCC, conveyed through their X handle that street protests were indeed on the horizon. Topmost among their demands is the "reinstatement of recalled MPs."
Further affirming the looming demonstrations, CCC's interim Matabeleland South provincial chairperson, Prince Dubeko Sibanda, confirmed on the same platform the party's intention to protest.
Sibanda stated, "Meanwhile, the Citizens of Bulawayo will be demonstrating in the streets of Bulawayo on the 23rd of October, 2023. Their grievances centre around the perceived unfair election and an alleged disregard of their democratic choices through the illegal recall of their representatives."
As the nation's political tension escalates, prominent political analyst Edith Mushore offered an alternative perspective.
Advocating for legal means rather than street protests, she remarked, "CCC should consider other avenues. If their grievances stem from the recent elections, then the judiciary should be their first port of call. Courts are the appropriate avenue for redress."
Meanwhile, CCC is concurrently grappling with internal strife. This comes in the wake of actions taken by CCC’s interim secretary-general, Mr. Sengezo Tshabangu, who recently recalled 15 CCC Members of Parliament (MPs) and 17 councillors.
