Staff reporter
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidate for Chitungwiza ward 7, Lovemore Maiko, has been arrested for allegedly attempting to orchestrate civil disobedience under the banner of "Bus Stop Protests."
According to a reliable source within the CCC, Maiko was apprehended by the St Mary's police after holding an unsanctioned meeting at his residence in Zengeza 1, where he purportedly advocated aggressive actions and civil unrest among the country's youth.
Moreover, the source claims that Maiko, acting on the alleged instructions of CCC leader, Nelson Chamisa, sought to sow discord and discredit the upcoming February by-elections.
"Maiko was having secret meetings at his residence in Zengeza 1 where he had plans to turn the country into a battleground through a series of spontaneous and violent demonstrations ahead of the by-elections," the source revealed. "He received approval from Chamisa himself to orchestrate these protests," further revealed the source.
Additionally, the source revealed that CCC leadership was under pressure to deliver results after their 2023 harmonised general elections defeat, and was pushing for nationwide protests to destabilize the country. Allegedly acting under the directive of their leader, they are having meetings to plot widespread chaos.
Weighing in on the situation, a prominent political analyst, Terence Chipwanya viewed Maiko's arrest and the alleged CCC plot as a desperate attempt to salvage the party's dwindling fortunes. He points to the CCC's failed attempts to discredit the 2023 Harmonized General Elections as evidence of their mounting frustration.
"CCC's recent actions are a clear indication of their desperation after their failed attempts to discredit the 2023 elections as rigged," the analyst commented.
"Instead of focusing on genuine political competition, they resort to cheap tactics like inciting violence and seeking external validation for their flawed agenda," said Chipwanya.
The analyst further highlights the internal turmoil within the CCC, citing the continued recalls of party members orchestrated by Secretary-General Sengezo Tshabangu as a symptom of Chamisa's autocratic leadership. He suggests that the party's focus should be on addressing its internal issues rather than resorting to desperate measures like inciting violence.
"The CCC is riddled with internal contradictions and power struggles," the analyst observed. "Instead of wasting time plotting violence, they should focus on putting their own house in order and addressing the grievances of their own members," commented Chipwanya.
As the situation unfolds, the CCC faces scrutiny not only for their alleged attempts to destabilize the nation but also for the internal strife that threatens the party's cohesion.
