Staff reporter
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Masvingo Mayor, Advocate Collen Maboke has allegedly been booted out of the race to represent Masvingo Urban constituency in this year’s election following accusations of hobnobbing with ZANU PF and the MDC.
A source who spoke to this publication revealed that, Maboke, who was eyeing the Masvingo Urban constituency, was allegedly not recommended by that party’s Candidate Independent Selection Panel (CISP) due to his questionable loyalty to Nelson Chamisa and accusations of being sympathetic to ZANU PF and MDC.
“Masvingo Mayor, Maboke has been booted out of the parliamentary race on allegations that he has been conniving and forming a truce with ZANU PF’s Masvingo councilors who supported his ascendancy to the mayoral position. Maboke was also accused of undermining Chamisa’s directives, rather choosing to work with ZANU PF councilors during council business,” said the source.
Moreover, the source revealed that the disqualification of Maboke was over his controversial ascension to the mayoral seat after defying Chamisa’s directive to pave way for Godfrey Kurauone.
The same source added that Chamisa was now supporting the candidature of Human Rights lawyers, Advocate Martin Mureri to represent CCC in Masvingo urban.
“CCC members in Masvingo Urban constituency are now divided over the issue of Maboke and Mureri. Chamisa dislikes Maboke and is in support of Mureri’s candidature. However, Maboke is the people’s favourite and his alleged disqualification would likely see the party having double candidates in the constituency,” said the source.
According to the source, Maboke was not the only one who has faced the wrath of Chamisa. In Chiredzi, the Town Council Chairperson, Gibson Hwende was also disqualified as he was not Chamisa’s favorite.
“Hwende is also being accused of associating with ZANU PF and MDC. Chamisa is now supporting Ropafadzo Makumire to be the next Chiredzi Town Council chairperson. Hwende’s other accusations are that he was not loyal to Chamisa,” said the source.
Meanwhile, another source within that party confided in this publication that the Sesedza Movement, a faction within CCC, was pushing for one Sam Chapfuudza to be that party’s candidate in Masvingo Urban constituency despite Chamisa preferring Mureri.
