Tsvangirayi denounces smear campaigns, alleges opposition involvement

Staff Reporter

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Norton Richard Tsvangirayi, has voiced his concerns over what he perceives as smear campaign against him orchestrated by certain factions within the opposition movement.

Following his attendance at the 44th Independence Day Celebrations in Murambinda, Tsvangirayi found himself targeted on social media plaforms, with some opposition members labelling him a sellout.

Dismissing these attacks as politically motivated, Tsvangirayi took to X (formerly Twitter) to assert his stance.

"I am not moved by the sponsored smear campaign. This has nothing to do with the people of Norton or Zimbabweans at large," he declared.

Tsvangirai added that the smear campaign against him was being pushed by people with certain agendas, and the attacks had nothing to do with ideology or policy.

"This has nothing to do with policy or ideology. It's a distraction from the real issues facing our community," he affirmed.

Tsvangirayi further asserted that what other opposition members say or think about him doesn't concern him, as his focus was on serving his constituency.

“My focus is solely on serving the Norton community, and their opinion is what matters most to me. This has nothing to do with the people of Norton, who, in their infinite wisdom, stood in the cold weather to cast their votes. I am forever grateful to those individuals,” said Tsvangirayi.

Political commentator Kudzai Mutisi weighed in on the matter, suggesting a possible link between the attacks and former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa. "Richard Tsvangirayi says the attacks are sponsored, and it's clear the sponsor being referred to is Nelson Chamisa. But Tsvangirayi will not succumb to bootlicking," Mutisi remarked.

Meanwhile, Tsvangirayi, together with a number of opposition legislators, including Lovemore Madhuku of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Welshman Ncube, and Linda Masarira of LEAD, attended the 44th National Independence Day celebrations in Murambinda.

This display of unity and political maturity was seen by various political commentators as a departure from confrontational politics, signalling a collective appreciation for Zimbabwe's liberation struggle.