ZIMBABWE’S prominent opposition figure, Nelson Chamisa, announced his resignation from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) on Thursday, precisely two years after its formation. Chamisa alleges that the ruling ZANU-PF has seized control of the CCC in a power grab, describing the transfer as ‘criminal’ in a statement posted on his social media account.
In the statement, Chamisa declared, ‘Fellow citizens, this is to officially and under my hand inform you that, with immediate effect I no longer have anything to do with CCC.’ The CCC, with substantial urban support, secured 103 out of 280 seats in Zimbabwe’s main parliament and dominated urban councils in the previous year’s general election.
However, internal challenges arose as several CCC lawmakers and councillors faced recalls initiated by an individual claiming to be the party’s secretary general, whom Chamisa and the CCC deem an imposter. Efforts to contest these recalls in the courts proved futile, leading the CCC to accuse ZANU-PF, in power since 1980, of using the legal system to dismantle the opposition.
ZANU-PF has refuted the accusations but has benefited from the recalls, winning most subsequent by-elections. Chamisa asserted, ‘The CCC has, to all intents and purposes, been criminally handed over to ZANU-PF.’
As the ZANU-PF spokesperson was not immediately available for comment, uncertainty looms over whether lawmakers and councillors loyal to Chamisa will resign, potentially triggering a wave of by-elections.
Nelson Chamisa, who emerged as the successor to the late opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in 2018, faced leadership battles and splits within Zimbabwe’s opposition movement. After losing control of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in court battles, Chamisa formed the CCC in January 2022. While he did not disclose his next move, Chamisa hinted at the possibility of establishing a new opposition movement.