Political Reporter

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) is set for a political show down as differences between Nelson Chamisa and his erstwhile benefactor, interim secretary general Charlton Hwende is fast reaching boiling point.

A source who spoke to this publication disclosed that Hwende’s withdrawal from CCC’s Mugwazo rural mobilisation programme was not by chance, but was a planned move meant to cripple Chamisa’s 2023 presidential bid. Apart from taking a sabbatical from the Mugwazo programme, Hwende is reportedly mobilising some CCC members to dump Chamisa ahead of the 2023 elections.

 “The relationship between Hwende and Chamisa has reached rock bottom as the duo is currently not seeing eye to eye. Hwende’s withdrawal from the Mugwazo programme was not by chance but it was a sign of the turmoil within CCC. The truth is that Hwende’s loyalty to Chamisa has dried up and is now frustrating Chamisa’s 2023 presidential bid by secretly mobilising CCC members not to campaign for Nero (Chamisa),” said the source.

According to the source, a well-resourced Hwende has been holding clandestine meetings with some CCC legislators telling them that their political lives were at risk under the leadership of Chamisa.

The source further alleged that the tweet by Chamisa stating that there was no secretary general in CCC angered Hwende who viewed the tweet as a declaration by Chamisa that he doesn’t want him within the CCC structures. The source added that the unholy alliance between Chamisa, Fadzayi Mahere and Gift Siziba had also left Hwende reconsidering his future in CCC.

The source claimed that Hwende was aware of Chamisa’s plot to demote him at the CCC inaugural elective congress set to be held early next year. According to the source, Chamisa is set to reward his blue-eyed boys with influential positions while relegating the likes of Hwende and other rebellious members to the peripheries of that party’s leadership.

However, according to the source, Hwende has vowed not to go down without a fight and has readied himself for a bruising battle with Chamisa.

 Meanwhile, Hwende is reportedly being backed by some CCC senior leaders including Tendai Biti, Obey Tererai Sithole, Makomborero Haruzivishe and Maureen Kademaunga, among others.