Political Reporter

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators have defied Nelson Chamisa’s directive not to take housing loans extended to them by Government and have accused their leader of not being sensitive to their welfare.

A source who spoke to this publication, said that last week, CCC legislators held a caucus meeting at their party offices at number 4 Hillmorton Road in Malbereign, and agreed that they should take the loans as they were part of their parliamentary perks.

“Twenty two CCC legislators held a caucus meeting at the party offices in Malbereign last week and agreed that they should take the loans offered by the Government. The meeting that was chaired by CCC Chief Whip, Prosper Mutseyami, resolved to defy Chamisa’s directive not to take the loans. All legislators who were present at the meeting expressed disappointment with Chamisa and came short of blaming him of being insensitive to their plight,” said the source.

According to the source, Mutseyami briefed legislators that Chamisa was fuming over their acceptance of the housing loans without first consulting with him. However, the source said the legislators accused Chamisa of being double faced because he knew about the loans as early as September this year and gave his blessings for the legislators to receive them.                                             

The source added that the legislators were left fuming after Chamisa failed to turn up for the meeting opting to send interim National Executive Council (NEC) member, Jameson Timba.

The same source said that after intense deliberations, the legislators agreed that they would go ahead and receive the loans. They further resolved to send a delegation to Chamisa to convince him to issue a public statement in support of the loans.

“The legislators agreed to send a five member delegation comprised of Charlton Hwende, Happymore Chidziva, Prosper Mutseyami, Daniel Molokeli and Sicelesile Mahlangu, to convince Chamisa to give a public statement in support of the loans. The legislators further agreed to confront Chamisa so that he would reign in the information department as it was prematurely giving statements before consulting other members,” said the source.

Meanwhile, political analyst Terrence Chipwanya said that Chamisa was fast losing control of his party and said that he was likely to be deserted by seasoned members because of his dictatorial tendencies.

Chipwanya added that it was highly unlikely that CCC legislators would boycott next year’s elections as suggested by Chamisa since that would result in them defaulting on the repayment of loans in the event that they don’t make it back to parliament.

Meanwhile, efforts to get a comment from CCC interim national spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere were futile as his mobile phones were not reachable.