Shongedzai Mugwagwa

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party is reportedly broke, threatening its preparedness for the impending general harmonised elections.

According to an insider within that party, Nelson Chamisa was at pains trying to convince that party’s traditional sponsors to fund their 2023 election programmes as they showed scepticism about CCC’s preparedness and lack of election roadmap.

Furthermore, Chamisa is accused of diverting money meant for that party for personal use. According to the contact, the misappropriation of donor funds has angered the funders.  The non-payment of salaries in CCC led to some party workers extorting money from aspiring candidates, thereby scaring away would be funders fearing that their funds would be misappropriated.

“Chamisa is between a rock and a hard surface. The usual sponsors of CCC are holding back their funding and so Chamisa is forced to scout for party candidates with the capacity and capability to fund their own political campaigns.

“Chamisa is blocking everyone from entertaining these moneyed aspiring candidates fearing that they will be extorted. However, we know Chamisa wants to extort the money personally in exchange for safe and uncontested constituencies,” said the contact.

Meanwhile, Chamisa hinted his interest to personally lead the candidate selection process, yet CCC is facing factional hurdles as the general harmonised elections draw closer. Maruva cabal which has notable CCC heavy-weights such as Murisi Zwizwai, Chalton Hwende, Tendai Biti and Jacob Mafume among others was at loggerheads with Chamisa claiming that they were being side-lined.