Staff Reporter
Former leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Nelson Chamisa has deleted a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account where he had urged his supporters to refrain from engaging in unlawful activities or demonstrations during the SADC Summit.
The post, initially published on Tuesday, drew significant attention and sparked controversy within his political base.
In his now-deleted message, Chamisa appealed to his followers to maintain peace and avoid demonstrations during the ongoing SADC Summit, stating that he was in discussions with some SADC leaders to address what he referred to as Zimbabwe's "political problems."
“As I have stated before and will continue to emphasize, we are actively engaging with other SADC leaders and making significant progress. As we prepare to host our SADC brothers for the 44th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, let us maintain our composure and demonstrate to our regional neighbours that Zimbabwe is a nation of peace-loving individuals," Chamisa wrote.
The post was quickly endorsed by several prominent figures within the CCC, including Ostallos Siziba, Zambian politician Joseph Kalimbwe, and CCC legal representative Fadzayi Mahere.
They expressed their support for Chamisa's stance against demonstrations, emphasizing the importance of pursuing diplomatic avenues to resolve the country's ongoing political issues.
However, Chamisa's call for restraint did not sit well with a significant portion of his supporters, who criticized him for what they perceived as a lack of political courage.
The backlash was swift and harsh, with many accusing Chamisa of being politically inept, weak, and an ineffective leader.
Faced with mounting criticism, Chamisa chose to delete the controversial post from his X timeline, a move that has since generated further debate about his leadership style and political strategy.
Political commentators were quick to weigh in on the issue, with some questioning Chamisa's decision to backtrack on his earlier message.
"Chamisa's initial call for no demonstrations was the right move, especially given the sensitive nature of the SADC Summit. It showed a commitment to peace and diplomacy. However, the decision to delete the post after facing criticism suggests that he lacks the firmness needed in a leader. It raises concerns about whether he can stand by his decisions in the face of adversity," said political analyst Felix Nyathi.
Another commentator, Tafadzwa Mukonoweshuro, echoed these sentiments, stating, "Leadership requires consistency and the courage to stand by one's principles. Chamisa's flip-flop on this issue could undermine his credibility, both with his supporters and the broader political community."
Political scientist, Marcia Ndlovu also weighed in, noting that while Chamisa's call for non-violence was commendable, his deletion of the post could be seen as a sign of weakness.
"A strong leader should be able to withstand criticism and stay true to their convictions. Deleting the tweet sends a message that Chamisa is more concerned with appeasing his base than leading with conviction,” said Ndlovu.
As the debate over Chamisa's leadership continues, the former CCC leader's actions have once again highlighted the challenges he faces in balancing the expectations of his supporters with the complexities of Zimbabwe's political landscape.
