Political Reporter
Prominent opposition activist and journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has made damning allegations against former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa, accusing him of orchestrating chaos within the opposition movement ahead of the 2023 general elections.
In a series of posts on his X handle yesterday, Chin’ono claimed Chamisa employed unorthodox methods to sideline senior opposition figures who had been part of that party since its inception in 1999 under the late Morgan Tsvangirai.
Chin’ono revealed that Chamisa explicitly told him before the elections that he planned to remove senior party stalwarts from the CCC lineup, including prominent figures like Sikhala Job and Biti Tendai.
"I respect God; that is why I don't mention Him in vain. Nelson Chamisa told me that he was dropping all these people, including Sikhala and Biti, all these guys who were there in 1999. Ask him if I am lying," Chin’ono wrote.
Chin’ono further alleged that Chamisa deliberately forced Harare East MP Allan Norman "Rusty" Markham, who was reportedly nearing retirement, to contest against Tendai Biti in the 2023 CCC primary elections as a strategy to block Biti's political progress.
"Rusty was on his way to retirement and was told to contest Biti by Chamisa. The idea was to block Biti," Chin’ono stated.
Chin’ono also took aim at opposition supporters who, in his view, prioritize defending personalities over standing for the truth.
He warned that this behaviour undermines the very principles the opposition should stand for, further deepening divisions within the movement.
The CCC has faced significant internal rifts following the 2023 elections.
Key figures such as Sikhala, Biti, and Chamisa appear to be pursuing separate political career paths, leaving the opposition in disarray.
Analysts believe these fractures could weaken the party's ability to present a united front against the ruling ZANU-PF in future elections.
Chin’ono’s revelations add to the growing uncertainty surrounding the future of the opposition movement, as many supporters now question the leadership and direction of the CCC.
