Political Reporter
Premiers of the Maruva cabal, a faction within Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) are reportedly contemplating on meeting President Emmerson Mnangagwa following the failure by Chamisa to broker a deal for the release of Job Sikhala from remand prison.
A well placed official in the Maruva camp revealed that the faction has engaged an unnamed third party who will try to broker a deal with President Mnangagwa to cause the release of Sikhala from incarceration.
“We have engaged a third party whom I will not mention for now. Our hope is that this third player will be able to negotiate the release of Honourable Sikhala from Chikurubi. If all goes according to plan, the emissaries will have a meeting with President Mnangagwa to discuss Sikhala’s prolonged detention,” the official said.
According to the source, Chamisa was not willing to see Sikhala freed anytime soon because the latter has proven to be popular within CCC. This has prompted the Maruva cabal to explore every possible means to secure Sikhala’s release.
“Chamisa has hinted that he is looking for potential candidates who can stand for Sikhala’s Zengeza West seat. This is a clear signal to us that our current party leader is happy seeing Wiwa detained.
“Another worrisome development is that of a leaked WhatsApp chat between spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere and a UK based party member where Mahere indicated that Chamisa has directed that CCC stops all legal and financial assistance to Sikhala and just offer solidarity messages. For us, it’s an indication that Chamisa feels that if Sikhala remains in detention he would have neutralised the Maruva cabal,” said the official.
Political analyst Patrick Manyemwe said the Maruva cabal should stop dragging President Mnangagwa into criminal and factional fights within CCC. He said that President Mnangagwa’s Government previously warned politicians to desist from politicising Sikhala’s matter before the courts.
He also advised that in cases where politicians need political assistance, they should engage the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) instead of seeking an interface with the President as the law doesn’t allow the President to interfere with court processes.
