Staff Reporter
The trend of opposition members defecting to the ruling ZANU PF Party continues to gain momentum, with several members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) switching allegiance.
In the latest wave of defections, numerous CCC supporters from St Mary’s Ward 5 in Chitungwiza publicly abandoned the opposition party, setting their CCC regalia alight in a dramatic show of discontent.
Among the defectors was Winnie Chiwundura, former CCC chairwoman for St. Mary’s Ward 5, who, along with her group, expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership of CCC, citing its lack of progress as their primary reason for leaving.
Chiwundura emphasised that their hopes for meaningful change had not been met under CCC, leading them to join ZANU PF, which they now view as a party better aligned with the people's needs.
ZANU PF officials welcomed the defectors with open arms, celebrating the growing disenchantment within CCC ranks as a testament to ZANU PF’s increasing popularity.
ZANU PF’s Secretary for Harare Province, Norbert Jinjika, praised the defectors, framing their decision as a return to their roots.
“We, through our Chairman for Harare Province, Cde Masimirembwa, would like to warmly welcome the returning members to the ruling party, ZANU PF. In line with our President’s mantra of ‘leaving no one and no place behind,’ we thank you for remembering your roots.,” Jinjika said.
Jinjika further encouraged ZANU PF members to continue engaging opposition supporters within their communities, stressing the importance of unity in building the country together.
“We urge all of us to continue engaging opposition members so that we can build the country together. All those in the opposition are our relatives and neighbours, living in the same homes and communities. Let’s speak to them kindly, and they will return,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Chiwundura highlighted the reasons for their departure from CCC.
“As your children, we have come in numbers. We are 20 women from Ward 5, and we have been noticing the good work being done by ZANU PF. We have decided to follow the Party. We have joined today, and others are still coming,” she declared.
Chiwundura criticised the CCC leadership for what she described as a lack of direction and failure to deliver meaningful change.
“We had hoped for real change, but CCC has failed to deliver. We can no longer align ourselves with a party that is not serious about addressing the people’s needs,” she added.
The group of defectors, which included Ruth Mudzeka, Magret Mupariwa, Susan Jimu, and others, gathered in St. Mary’s Ward 5 to ceremonially burn their CCC yellow regalia, symbolising their rejection of the opposition party’s ideology.
The flames that consumed the CCC t-shirts, caps, and overalls marked a significant moment for those involved, as they publicly distanced themselves from the opposition party, expressing their confidence in ZANU PF’s leadership under President Mnangagwa.
