Nelson Chamisa, Zimbabwe’s prominent opposition leader, officially resigned from his political party on Thursday, just a few months after his unsuccessful presidential bid. Citing “intimidation and violence” orchestrated by the ruling regime, Chamisa declared his disassociation from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
“The original CCC idea has however been contaminated, bastardised, hijacked by ZANU PF through the abuse of State institutions,” he said, accusing the ruling party of President Emmerson Mnangagwa of dirty tricks.
The unexpected decision followed Mnangagwa’s successful re-election for a second term, defeating Chamisa in a contentious election that also saw the ZANU-PF party securing a parliamentary majority. International observers criticized the electoral process, asserting that it did not meet democratic standards, leading to heightened political tensions.
Chamisa, 45, seemed to reference the nickname in his statement, declaring: “I will refuse to swim in a river with hungry crocodiles. We need to extricate ourselves from the shenanigans. I will have nothing to do with sewer pond politics.”
The ZANU-PF, often accused of manipulating the legal system to stifle opposition and suppress dissent, secured 177 out of 280 national assembly seats, with the CCC claiming 104 after the August 23 poll.
However, a subsequent political crisis saw over 30 opposition lawmakers losing their seats, fueling speculation of orchestrated interference.
Chamisa highlighted the emergence of an “imposter” declaring himself the CCC’s “interim secretary general” as part of a broader agenda connected to the alleged election irregularities. The opposition leader did not clarify his future plans but pledged to update Zimbabweans on his next steps.
Declaring CCC as now “hijacked” by ZANU-PF, Chamisa affirmed his commitment to public service, stating, “As a patriot, I remain active in public service; giving up or giving in is not an option.” The uncertainty surrounding Chamisa’s future actions adds a new dimension to Zimbabwe’s complex political landscape.
