Political Reporter

Pressure keeps mounting on Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) co-vice president, Tendai Biti as members are urging him to take over the leadership of that party from Nelson Chamisa.

A source who spoke to this publication said that Biti was inundated by calls from CCC members who want him to step up and wrestle the leadership mantle from Chamisa.

According to the source, the majority of CCC members are of the view that Chamisa is inept, politically bankrupt and selfish, hence he should be replaced by a more mature and seasoned politician like Biti.

“Biti is being pressurised by CCC members who want him to take over the party’s leadership from Chamisa. There is a general belief within CCC that Chamisa is taking the party for a ride as he is yet to reveal his electoral plans. Members now prefer Biti to lead CCC into this year’s elections as he is more mature than Chamisa,” said the source.

The source added that CCC elders such as Dzikamai Mavhaire were slowly drifting away from Chamisa as they have lost trust in his leadership style.

“Elders such as Baba Mavhaire are drifting away from Chamisa and are slowly aligning themselves with Biti. Mavhaire is bitter that most of his advices were being ignored by Chamisa. Mavhaire is in agreement with the majority of CCC members that Chamisa is a liability to the party hence he should be replaced by Biti,” said the source.

The same source added that Biti’s offices at 28 Rowland Square, Milton Park, Harare, are now being used as a venue for meetings to discuss Biti’s possibility of taking over from Chamisa.

According to the source, Biti is willing to take charge of CCC but wants members to first pass a vote of no confidence on Chamisa before he can take over.

Meanwhile, there are reports that CCC grassroots followers are angry with Chamisa for holding off on announcing the party's candidates, fearing that this will harm that party’s chances of winning the next plebiscite.