Political Reporter

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader, Nelson Chamisa has been rattled by his interim co-deputy, Tendai Biti’s growing influence within that party.

A source who spoke to this publication said that Chamisa viewed Biti as a direct threat to his leadership and had since directed party structures to stop referring to him as the vice president arguing that the CCC had no substantive leadership.

“The president (Chamisa) is not happy with Biti’s ever-growing influence within CCC.  Biti behaves as if he is the co-CCC president. Chamisa has since directed party structures to stop referring Biti as vice president as he was not elected or appointed to that position by anyone,” said the source.

The source added that Chamisa has also directed that Biti should not speak to the media on behalf of the CCC as he was not the president or the party spokesperson.

“As a way of clipping Biti’s wings, Chamisa has directed that Biti should not grant interviews to the media and speak on behalf of CCC as he was not the party spokesperson. Chamisa directed that Fadzayi Mahere or Ostallos (Gift Siziba) should speak to the media on behalf of the CCC not anyone else.

Meanwhile, Chamisa is expected to make structural changes within the CCC as he wants to elevate his loyalists to some influential positions. There are reports that Biti was likely to be demoted to the position of party treasurer while Amos Chibaya will be the next secretary general.

Rumour has it that Charlton Hwende was going to be demoted to the position of organising secretary while Sikhala will be elevated to take over Biti’s position as one of the co-vice presidents. Thabitha Khumalo’s position as the national chairperson is under threat as Chamisa was reportedly looking for an energetic person to take over.