Dog Eat Dog in CCC Ranks as Calls for Chamisa’s Accountability Grow

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) is currently embroiled in internal discord as pressure mounts on its losing presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa, to account for funds donated ahead of Zimbabwe’s 2023 Harmonised General Elections. The CCC, which was partly financed through GoFundMe campaigns by its supporters and western donors, now faces a significant crisis as questions about the transparency and usage of these funds take center stage.

Chamisa’s Exit Sparks Controversy

Nelson Chamisa’s sudden exit from the CCC has raised eyebrows, with many interpreting it as an attempt to evade accountability over the financial contributions. This move has fueled further scrutiny, with prominent anti-government activists like Hopewell Chin’ono, Kuda Musasiwa, and Susan Mutami leading the charge for transparency. Musasiwa recently issued an ultimatum to Chamisa on the social media platform X, under the hashtag #WhoTookTheMoney, calling for a public inquiry into the matter.

Allegations of Fund Mismanagement

The allegations against Chamisa are not new but have gained momentum following his recent departure from the party. In a striking revelation, Kuda Musasiwa highlighted a case involving CCC Marondera Central legislator, Casten Matewu. Matewu was shocked to discover that USD 1,000, supposedly allocated to him before the elections, never reached his hands, despite records indicating it had been signed for. This incident has fueled suspicions that similar cases of fund mismanagement may be widespread within the party.

A Pattern of Misappropriation

This controversy is reminiscent of a previous incident where Chamisa allegedly received USD 120,000 from supporters to purchase a bullet-proof car after claiming an assassination attempt. However, the funds were reportedly diverted for personal use, leaving supporters and donors disillusioned. The recurring theme of strategic ambiguity and the misuse of funds is now becoming more apparent, particularly as Chamisa failed to challenge the 2023 election results in court—likely due to the diversion of funds intended for election agents, leading to a lack of crucial evidence to support his claims of electoral fraud.

Corruption in Opposition Ranks

Corruption within opposition circles has often been overlooked, but the current public demand for accountability is a significant shift. The exposure of these financial irregularities is seen as a crucial step towards cleaning up the CCC and ensuring that its leaders are held accountable for their actions. As the internal strife continues, the question remains: will the CCC be able to rebuild trust among its supporters, or will this be the beginning of its downfall?