Political Reporter

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidate nomination process is marred by allegations of intimidation and bribery as desperate members want to bribe their way to win the ticket to represent that party in the forthcoming harmonised general elections.

A source who spoke to this publication said that CCC head of advance aide, Washington Gaga and CCC director of intelligence, Jabulani Ndlovu were asking for bribes from aspiring candidates promising them that they will guarantee their success in the candidate nomination process which has started today.

“The candidates’ nomination process is rocked by bribery allegations as aspiring candidates are asked to pay ‘tithes’ to Gaga and Ndlovu for them to sail through the nomination process. Those who don’t pay bribes will have their names blacklisted by the party’s intelligence department rendering them ineligible to be selected,” said the source.

According to the source, the bribes are mostly taking place in Harare and Bulawayo Provinces with Gaga and Ndlovu boasting that they are collecting the ‘tithes ’on behalf of Chamisa.

In Bulawayo Province, CCC senior member, Gideon Shoko is being accused of intimidating other aspiring candidates for contesting against Chamisa’s favourites.

The source said that Shoko had threatened aspiring candidates in Nketa telling them that they should pave way for him or face some consequences.

“Shoko is causing some problems in Bulawayo. He is telling some aspiring candidates to step down and pave way for Chamisa’s favourites. He has threatened aspiring candidates in Nketa that they should not contest against him,” said the source.

The same source added that some CCC aspiring candidates were also visiting churches seeking spiritual blessings ahead of today’s candidates’ selection process.

“The aspiring candidates are desperate and they are approaching churches and shrines seeking spiritual help ahead of today’s nomination process. A number of aspiring candidates have been approaching Epworth based Reverend Michael Girivara, founder of Ebenezer Blessing International Church seeking spiritual assistance. The likes of former Epworth legislator, Ethridge Kureva and Kuda Matibiri have become frequent visitors at Reverend Girivara’s church seeking spiritual endorsement ahead of today’s candidates’ selection process,” said the source.

Meanwhile, CCC candidates selection process is on today with the majority of CCC members expressing confusion on how they would reach a consensus  on candidates.