Staff Reporter
Western Embassies in the country snubbed the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) campaign launch rally in Gweru, over the weekend save for the Netherlands that sent its senior official representative, the Harare Post has learnt.
Political analyst, Philip Makhaza attributed the brushoff to a potential shift in foreign relations between the western nations and that party leader, Nelson Chamisa. He also stressed that this could also reflect a re-evaluation of priorities or disagreements regarding the political direction taken by Chamisa.
“The lack of official representation during Chamisa’s campaign launch rally over the weekend is a clear indication of non-endorsement or lack of support for his candidature. This suggests discontent or reservations about his political agenda, which is not clear as his party does not have structures, constitution and an ideology.
“The West knows that endorsing someone like that would be tantamount to entering a dark house without a torch. Chamisa has not shown any democratic tendencies. The tactics that he used in his candidate selection process were controversial and divisive that the West feels these do not align with their values and principles of democracy,” said Makhaza.
One of the CCC election candidates disclosed that Western Embassies were disgruntled over the misuse of funds by Chamisa following his failure to account for monies donated to that party’s election processes.
“The Netherlands is very disappointed in Chamisa for failing to ensure all candidates are registered with the Nomination Court, as they had given him money in ample time to cater for that process. Instead Chamisa converted that money for his own personal use, leading to some of the candidates failing to register on time.
“Netherlands got wind of the abuse of funds and sent their senior official, Fortune Gwaze to attend the campaign launch rally, maybe to observe the proceedings and report back,” said the CCC candidate who refused to be identified for fear of victimisation.
Meanwhile, due to Chamisa’s lack of organisation, 15 members of his party are facing disqualification from the 23 August 2023, Harmonised General Elections after they failed to submit their nomination papers on time when the Nomination Court sat on 22 June 2023. Chamisa is on record having directed the candidates to fund their own election campaign and some of those affected stated that they submitted their papers late because they were looking for the US$1000 nomination fee, as stipulated by the electoral body for aspiring parliamentarians. Among the affected members are Chamisa’s blue-eyed boy, Gift “Ostallos” Siziba (Phelandaba/Tshabalala candidate), Pashor Sibanda (Cowdry Park candidate) and Watson Nicola (Bulawayo South candidate) among many others.
