… as members push for an elective Congress

Staff Reporter

Divisions within the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) are widening with calls for an elective congress reaching a fever pitch and causing friction between party leader Nelson Chamisa and a growing number of disgruntled members.

According to a reliable source close to the CCC, members are fervently pushing for an elective congress to ensure a fair and transparent selection of leaders.

"There is a strong feeling among members that the current leadership needs to be refreshed. People want to choose their leaders through a democratic process, not appointment. They want to avoid the issue that some members are handpicked, which then affects the credibility of the party," confided the source.

However, the source revealed that tension was rising within the CCC as Chamisa seemed resistant to the idea of an elective congress.

The source revealed that Chamisa's popularity within that party has waned considerably, prompting members to advocate open contestation of all positions.

According to the same source, this sits poorly with the embattled leader who has reportedly become "agitated" over the prospect of facing an internal challenge.

"There is a sense that he (Chamisa) is afraid of losing control if the playing field is level. He is visibly agitated by the calls for an elective congress. It's clear he is not comfortable with the prospect of facing a democratic challenge," said the source.

Additionally, Chamisa's discomfort with the elective congress proposal has reportedly spilled over into agitation.

"He (Chamisa) is not taking it well. There is talk of him splitting and forming a new party, the Democratic Alternative in Zimbabwe (DAZ), where he will have guaranteed support from loyal cadres. He knows he has loyal cadres who will follow him blindly. It's a way for him to maintain control and avoid facing the internal challenges within the CCC," added the source.

The source's claims resonate with the recent social media chatter and public pronouncements by some prominent CCC figures, such as Gift 'Ostallos' Siziba, who recently revealed Chamisa's plans to form an alternative opposition political party.

Political analyst, Clayton Mambizho added his insights on the potential impact of an elective congress.

"The congress, if conducted fairly, could have surprising outcomes, especially with Chamisa's popularity dwindling. His leadership during the recall of members has been particularly concerning. Most members must have felt abandoned by him, and this created a sense of disillusionment," said Mambizho.

With the call for an elective congress gaining momentum, the fate of Nelson Chamisa's leadership within the CCC remains uncertain, paving the way for a potential reshaping of the political landscape in Zimbabwe.