Political Reporter
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim co-vice president who is also the sitting Harare East legislator, Tendai Biti is resisting that party leader, Nelson Chamisa’s directive for him to stand as senator in the forthcoming elections in order to pave way for Allan Markham who is transferring from Harare North constituency to Harare East.
According to the source, Chamisa directed that Biti and Harare Central legislator, Murisi Zwizwai should represent that party as senators to pave way for new blood.
“Mukuru varikuda kuti Va Biti na Va Zwizwai vamire sema senators vosiira ma constituency kune vamwe (Chamisa wants Biti and Zwizwai to stand as senators and leave the constituencies to new blood). As it stands, Markham is earmarked to move from Harare North to Harare East while Gladys Hlatshwayo is tipped to take over from Zwizwai in Harare Central,” said the source.
The same source added that both Biti and Zwizwai were against Chamisa’s directive to stand as senators and they want to continue House of Assembly representatives of their respective constituencies.
“Biti and Zwizwai are arguing that they still have unfinished business in their constituencies and they don’t want to be pushed to be senators. To Biti and Zwizwai, being a senator is a demotion that’s why they are resisting Chamisa’s plan,” added the source.
According to the source, Chamisa had already lined up his list of preferred aspiring Harare candidates that include Vongai Tome (Harare West), Fadzayi Mahere (Mt Pleasant), Lynnet Madzingaidzo (Southerton), Pride Mukono (Warren Park) and Eric Murai (Hatfield).
Chamisa’s other preferred candidates for Harare are Robson Kazetete (Harare South), Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi (Mabvuku), Alexio Musundire (Zengeza East), Hammy Madzingira (Sunningdale) and Agency Gumbo (Hatcliffe).
Oddly, Harare West legislator, Joanna Mamombe is not on Chamisa’s list of preferred candidates as she had allegedly shifted her allegiance to the Sesedza Movement, a faction within CCC opposed to Chamisa’s leadership.
The source also revealed that Chamisa directed the CISP that Job Sikhala’s son, Job Sikhala Junior, should not represent CCC in Zengeza East as that constituency was already reserved for Musundire.
Meanwhile, CCC interim national spokesperson, Mahere revealed yesterday that vetting of aspiring candidates was now complete and the list of successful candidates would be forwarded to Chamisa before it is made public.
