Innocent Mujeri
Citizens Coalition for Change interim co-vice president Tendai Biti and that party’s interim secretary general Charlton Hwende are tussling to occupy the Leader of Opposition position in Parliament. As a result, the duo’s jostling is threatening to tear the CCC apart.
The two legislators who were sworn in yesterday are reportedly plotting against each other to emerge as front runners for the Leader of Opposition in parliament.
A source privy to the details, confided in this publication that CCC leader Nelson Chamisa was also in a dilemma as both Biti and Hwende were his blue eyed boys.
“Biti and Hwende are both eyeing the Leader of Opposition position. Currently the duo has been separately making endless visits to Chamisa’s offices to try and convince him to endorse them. Biti argues that he was senior in the party, hence the post should be handed over to him. However, Hwende is arguing that CCC was a new baby therefore all members were equal,” said the source.
The source added that the jostling for the Leader of Opposition position was likely to tear that party apart as factions backing the two have already emerged.
“Biti and Hwende’s tussle for the Leader of Parliament position is threatening to tear the party apart. CCC legislators have found themselves in camps belonging to the two. If the situation is not managed well it might bring problems to the party,” said the source.
According to the source, Chamisa was aware of the duo’s machinations and for the sake of maintaining peace in that party, he was ready to dump the two and settle for interim organising secretary, Amos Chibaya.
“The president (Chamisa) is aware of Biti and Hwende’s ambitions to be the next Leader of Opposition in parliament. Chamisa thinks that the duo doesn’t have the qualities to occupy that position. He also views the duo as divisive people who might tear the party apart because of their unbridled ambitions. Chamisa is now ready to endorse Chibaya as the Leader of Opposition as a reward for organising successful CCC rallies,” said the source.
Efforts to get a comment from CCC interim spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere were futile as her mobile phones were not reachable.
