………as Sikhala omits Chamisa from his list of sympathisers

Political Reporter

Rift within the shaky Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has widened with incarcerated Zengeza West legislator, Job Sikhala omitting Nelson Chamisa from the list of those who stood by him in prison.

Yesterday, Sikhala and Godfrey Sithole, through their lawyer, Freddy Michael Masarireva, released a statement thanking people who stood by them during their time in prison.

The duo thanked many people, from his lawyers and people like Temba Mliswa, Tsitsi Dangarebga, Hopewell Chin’ono, Godfrey Tsenengamu and Joseph Kalimbwe, among others. However, the letter surprisingly omitted CCC and Chamisa despite extending gratitude not only to individuals, but to a number of organisations.

A CCC insider who spoke to this publication said that the omission of Chamisa from Sikhala’s statement was not by mistake as the relationship between the two leaders has greatly deteriorated.

“That statement was pregnant with meanings. It exposed the factions and infighting within CCC. Of late, Sikhala has been complaining that the party and Chamisa have abandoned him and he also has a belief that Chamisa wants to see him rot in jail. This might be the reason he failed to acknowledge Chamisa as he is angry at him,” said the source.

The source added that there are reports that Sikhala was contemplating to form an alternative political party to contest elections next year.

“There are reports that Sikhala is now fed up with Chamisa and he now wants nothing to do with CCC. He is plotting to form an alternative political party with the help of his loyalists. This new party is likely to have an electoral pact with other political parties led by Godfrey Tsenengamu and Jacob Ngarivhume,” added the source.

Meanwhile, CCC downplayed the omission of Chamisa from Sikhala’s statement, saying on Twitter; “Please note that they did so because they did a first statement last week which was focusing on thanking the party and party champions for the solidarity. They do the statements now and then focusing on certain issues that the detained Champions see fit to address.”

Chamisa is being accused by many within CCC, of failing to push for the release of Sikhala and other CCC members who were arrested following the violence that ensued in Nyatsime at the funeral of murdered woman, Moreblessing Ali.