By A Correspondent
A senior ZANU PF official has claimed that the ruling party successfully dismantled the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and is now prepared to dismantle any new political party that Nelson Chamisa might attempt to establish.
Edson Chiherenge, the Midlands provincial chairperson for ZANU PF, made the bold assertion during a public event at Charandura Business Centre in Chirumanzu, where 50 individuals, said to be defectors from the CCC, were formally introduced to the ruling party.
Addressing supporters, Chiherenge declared that the CCC, once led by Chamisa, no longer existed. “
This party (CCC) wants to register another party. We know there is no longer any CCC because the party has disintegrated,” he said. “We are waiting for the new party to come on board so that we destroy it again.”
Chiherenge’s comments follow a period of significant internal strife within the opposition party, which culminated in Chamisa’s dramatic exit in early 2024.
Chamisa had accused his party of being infiltrated, with Sengezo Tshabangu, a little-known figure prior to the 2023 general elections, seizing control as the self-proclaimed interim secretary-general.
Tshabangu’s rise to prominence was marked by a series of controversial court rulings and political maneuvers that included the intervention of the National Assembly Speaker and Senate President.
These actions led to the recall of numerous CCC legislators, councillors, and mayors, effectively weakening the opposition’s presence in both Parliament and local government.
Acknowledging the defections, Chiherenge expressed appreciation for the former CCC members who had joined ZANU PF. He stated that both the party and President Emmerson Mnangagwa “recognize and appreciate” their decision.
However, he cautioned the new members about ambitions for swift advancement within the party’s ranks.
“We welcome you, but don’t come here thinking you can quickly take positions,” Chiherenge warned, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and patience in ZANU PF.
The remarks from Chiherenge have intensified speculation about ZANU PF’s role in the CCC’s collapse, with some viewing the party’s comments as a tacit admission of its involvement in facilitating Tshabangu’s rise to power.
This development could further strain political tensions as Chamisa contemplates his next move, with the ruling party poised to capitalize on any new opposition efforts.
The dramatic disintegration of the CCC and ZANU PF’s vow to neutralize any new party Chamisa forms could significantly alter the political landscape in the run-up to future elections.