... as CCC Bulawayo candidates are betrayed by Chamisa
Staff Reporter
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporters are angry at their party leadership for losing 12 House of Assembly seats to Zanu PF before the votes have been cast.
This follows the High Court ruling that disqualified 12 CCC candidates for Bulawayo Metropolitan for late submission of their nomination papers.
Speaking to this publication, Nokuthula Mavholwane, a CCC member, heaped the blame on that party’s leadership.
"This all happened because of a need to impose candidates by our leadership, especially those from the Mashonaland region. They delayed with the list of names for selected candidates, this left the candidates with limited time to get their papers in order for submission at the nomination court," said Mavholwane.
Political analyst Blessing Maguta predicted a watershed victory for Zanu PF due to disgruntled and demoralised CCC members who are most likely to abstain from casting their votes even for their presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa.
"There is so much disgruntlement within the CCC over this occurrence; I can predict voter apathy on the part of CCC supporters. I see a protest vote or no vote at all for the remaining candidates in that region," said Maguta.
On June 21, 2023, the last day of the nomination court, 12 CCC members turned up late at the court to submit their nomination papers: Surrender Kapoikulu (Bulawayo Central); Minenhle Ntandoyenkosi Gumede (Bulawayo North); Nichola Jane Watsom (Bulawayo South); Pashor Raphael (Cowdry Park); Collins Descent Bajila (Emakhandeni-Luveve); Dingilizwe Tshuma (Entumbane-Njube); Prince Dube (Entumbane-Njube); Dereck Gono (Lobengula Magwegwe); Desmond Makaza (Mpopoma-Mzilikazi); Obert Manduna (Nketa); Desire Moyo (Nkulumani); Sineni Moyo (Phelandaba-Tshabalala); Gift Ostallos Siziba (Phelandaba Tshabalala); Sichelesile Mahlangu (Pumula) and Albert Mhlanga (Phumula). The 12 CCC members were disqualified and barred from contesting in the 23 August 2023 Harmonised General Elections, following a court application by Zanu Pf to the High Court.
