Beverly Bizeki
MASVINGO – Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) member Frank Chirairo who was aspiring candidate for Masvingo West’s ward 2 has renounced his party membership saying he is quitting active politics.
His decision came a few days after withdrawing his candidature following a double candidate deadlock where he and another candidate, Shantiel Chiwara, successfully filed their nominations but the party declared Chiwara as the preferred candidate alleging that Chirairo had forged signatures.
He first made the announcement in Ward 2 WhatsApp platform and went on to confirm to TellZim News on June 24, 2023.
“Greetings citizens, Zimbabwe and ward 2 Masvingo West Constituency, we had a fantastic time, It was a good journey that we walked together where I interacted with citizens across all sectors of our community.
“I have decided to quit active politics and am hereby renouncing my membership in the party. I am no longer a CCC. Yours truly Frank Chirairo,” said Chirairo.
Initially Chirairo had been reported to the police on fraud charges with the party alleging that he forged signatures on his nomination forms and the party signatory denied having signed for him.
After some negotiations with other party structures, he went on to withdraw his nomination and the party withdrew fraud charges against him.
“I can confirm that on June 21 I filed for my nomination papers that had been brought to me by party officials and I then discovered that ward 2 Masvingo west constituency had also another candidate who had filed nomination papers. Investigations were made within the party and party officials communicated with other members and resolved and ensured that the party has only one candidate that will remain on the ballot paper on the election easy,” said Chirairo.
Jefferyson Chitando one of the party signatories confirmed reporting the fraud case to police as well as withdrawing charges.
The development was received with mixed feelings by people especially those in ward with some saying he made the right move as the party had failed to appreciate his contributions especially registering first time voters while some said he was supposed to continue as a party member and support the party to win the 2023 election
After his withdrawal the ward still faced vote split after Ward 3 Councillor Rocky Kamuzonda who was moved to ward 2 after delimitation also went on to stand as independent candidate but he later withdrew,
Recently, a statement released by CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere gave fraudulent candidates a 24 hour ultimatum to withdraw their papers or be dragged to court.
Cases of signature forgery in CCC were rife during the nomination court day and, a Kariba man, Andrew Mutsau who is alleged to have forged signatures in a double candidature case is facing was also reported to the police it was realized the signatures were wrongfully attached on his nomination forms.
CCC is threatening to deal harshly with double candidature fraudsters claiming double candidate cases were meant to give an impression of confusion in the party.
