Political Reporter
Hundreds of Citizens Coalitions for Change (CCC) members from Dangamvura Constituency in Mutare have written a petition to their leader, Nelson Chamisa protesting against the candidature of the incumbent legislator and that Party’s Chief Whip, Prosper Mutseyami.
An insider revealed that CCC members in Dangamvura Constituency accused the candidate selection process presiding commissioner, Pastor Matthew Tizora and CCC Manicaland coordinator, Itayi Masaka of violating the terms of reference of the process, to ensure Mutseyami was selected as the party’s candidate for Dangamvura constituency.
“In the petition they cited that the constituents were not happy with the way the process was handled. They also appealed to president (Chamisa) to redress the issue to avoid imposition of candidates,” said the contact.
It was further disclosed that the Dangamvura residents threatened to engage in ‘bhora musango’ if Mutseyami was imposed on them.
The residents, the contact said, accused Masaka of attempting to impose Mutseyami following the flop of the candidate selection process in April. The process was cancelled after Mutseyami’s supporters attacked his rival, Bonface Gweru’s supporters. According to contact, Gweru stands a better chance of winning than Mutseyami and Chamisa is also of the same view.
“The president (Chamisa) has already realized that his ally, Mutseyami has drastically lost support in Dangamvura constituency, thus he wants to get rid of him by ensuring that he loses the selection process. The president is now snubbing Mutseyami and is mending relations with (Lynette) Karenyi-Kore. He is also likely to announce Gweru as the candidate,” said the contact.
Meanwhile, in Binga South constituency, CCC Matabeleland North interim chairperson, Prince Dubeko Sibanda was also accused of interfering with the candidate selection process to ensure the nomination of his ally, Fanuel Chumanzala.
Hundreds of CCC members also wrote a petition to Chamisa complaining of Sibanda’s machinations. Chamisa reportedly ordered Sibanda to redress the issue or else he disqualifies the aspiring candidate and replaces him with a neutral candidate.
Chumanzala is contesting against the incumbent, Joel Gabuza and the former is said to be commanding more support than the incumbent.
Contact further revealed that Sibanda was heard castigating Chamisa, saying he was a dictator and he reportedly defied Chamisa’s directive to redress the issue.
The candidate selection process has caused chaos in CCC as aggrieved members threaten to stand as independent candidates. Chamisa is reported to be in favour of new members whom he believes he can control.
