Political Reporter
Faction wars within the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) are fast reaching boiling point prompting party leader, Nelson Chamisa to create a parallel youth structure comprised of his loyalists, to ring fence his position from his lieutenants who are increasingly drooling over it.
A source has revealed that the ever growing mistrust by Chamisa regarding his lieutenants Charlton Hwende, Tendai Biti and Welshmen Ncube has resulted in him creating his own personal movement called Committee of Change Youth Platform (CCYP) which is responsible for ensuring that his power is not wrestled.
“Chamisa has created a personal movement called Committee of Change Youth Platform. Although he has declared that this movement will help mobilise youth votes, his lieutenants have dismissed this claim, calling it a movement aimed at neutralising senior politicians whilst asserting Chamisa’s position in the party,” the source said.
According to the source, senior members have also raised concern as to why Chamisa hand-picked CCYP leaders without consulting CCC Acting Chair for Youth Assembly, Cecilia Chimbiri.
“Chamisa hand-picked Ngadziore to be Chairperson, Nhende to be Organising Secretary and Chuma to be Information and Publicity Secretary of this movement without consulting Cecilia Chimbiri who is the Party Acting Chair for Youth Assembly. Apart from side-lining her, Chamisa also hinted that Chimbiri would be relieved of her chairmanship of the youth assembly owing to her age. President Chamisa said Chimbiri, as old as she is, could not represent the interests of the youth. Chimbiri is also being accused of having links with the ruling ZANU PF Party,” said the source.
Attempts by Chamisa to field Olina Makoni from Manicaland to be part of the executive representing women was vehemently rejected by both Ngadziore and Chibaya citing that she is in the Chimbiri faction, hence she could not be trusted.
Creation of this movement follows the raging battle between Chamisa faction and the Hwende faction. Recently Chamisa secured secret offices where he hosts his loyalists for faction meetings. Only A few confidantes to Chamisa which include Michael Mataruka, Gift Siziba and members of CCYP will be allowed access the premises.
CCC has been rocked by factional wars which have resulted in a plethora of militant groups being formed to safeguard the interests of different political figures fighting to gain control within the party.
