Faith Duri
Confusion reigns supreme in the newly formed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) as it is set to conduct fresh primary elections in Masvingo Urban’s Ward 4 after the party fielded double candidates when the nomination court sat on January 26. The confusion came about when the national leadership decided in the eleventh hour to replace a female candidate Thokozile Muchuchuti, who had initially been seconded by party members in Ward 4, through a consensus process, with Aleck Tabe who is alleged to have strong links with the national leadership.
Reliable sources told TellZim News that the meeting will be held in Ward 4 today with the national members led by CCC secretary general Chalton Hwende and a re-run will be conducted thereafter.
“We received communication that the national leadership is coming to day for primary election re-run. The candidates will be paraded and the supporters will be asked to go and stand behind the candidate of their choice and the one who garners more votes will be officially announced as the party candidate ahead of the March 26 by-elections,” said a CCC party member in Ward 4.
Hwende confirmed to TellZim News early this morning that he was on his way to Masvingo to have a meeting with Ward 4 stakeholders but chose his words wisely when he was asked if the process they intend to do is a re-run.
“We have a meeting today and I am on my way to Masvingo. I don’t know about that (re-run) but we will have a meeting with all stakeholders in Ward 4 today. Why don’t you come and see for yourself the whole process?” said Hwende.
The national leadership is said to be supporting Tabe who was handpicked by former councillor Godfrey Kurauone who fled the country after he allegedly insulted President Emmerson Mnangagwa and is currently in the United States of America.
Muchuchuti was once elbowed out during 2018 general elections after she defeated Kurauone during party primaries. The party technically knocked her out by declaring that the Ward was reserved for the youths. Interestingly now, the ward is now open since both Tabe and Muchuchuti are no longer under the youths banner.
Party members expressed their worry over the manner females who show interest to contest for higher positions are treated especially in Masvingo province.
“We do not have a female candidate who contested for all the 26 constituencies in the provinces; the candidates were all male. Females who tried to stand were elbowed out and the same is happening in Ward 4 now. Other political parties even Zanu PF are taking serious the issue of women empowerment but we are blocking them from contesting. This kind of dictatorship cannot be tolerated,” said a disgruntled party member.
The provincial and district leadership however, stood their ground and bluntly told the national leadership that it was not proper to force a female candidate out simply because Tabe was being fronted by some national leaders. How the Hwende led team will solve the impasse, party members can only wait and see how the re-run will be conducted today.
