Ncube blames Chamisa for running “an authoritarian, theocratic opposition”

BULAWAYO – The Acting President of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Professor Welshman Ncube, has criticised the party’s former leader Nelson Chamisa for running “an authoritarian, theocratic opposition.”

Professor Ncube is holding the position of Acting President on a 90-day rotation basis, with the other two Vice Presidents, Tendai Biti and Lynette Karenyi-Kore taking turns in that role until CCC holds its anticipated elective congress sometime this year.

In his first interview as leader, Ncube, who assumed the role following Chamisa’s resignation, claims the party strayed from democratic principles under Chamisa’s leadership.

Chamisa stepped down as President last month saying the party had been “contaminated” and “hijacked” by the government. “I will have nothing to do with sewer politics,” he said in a 13-page statement.

“The original CCC idea has however been contaminated, bastardized, hijacked by ZANU PF through the abuse of State institutions,” Chamisa said.

Ncube however indirectly criticised Chamisa’s leadership, claiming it fostered a “one-man show” and stifled collective decision-making. This, he argued, led to the current crisis within the opposition.

He further highlighted fundamental differences within the party, particularly regarding internal democracy.

Ncube emphasized the importance of demonstrating democratic practices within the opposition, contrasting their approach with the ruling Zanu-PF’s authoritarianism. He argued that the party must practice what it preaches, adhering to democratic principles even while in opposition.

Ncube, elected as the first acting president due to his seniority, said he aimed to stabilise the party in the next 90 days. He clarified that he hasn’t spoken to Chamisa in two months and denied any involvement with Sengezo Tshabangu, despite earlier reports suggesting otherwise.

“Some of us believe that we are fighting Zanu PF which is authoritarian, which is undemocratic and which has one centre of power. We must demonstrate that we are the opposite of Zanu PF,” he said.

“We must do while in opposition things we are expected to do when we get into government, not running an autocratic, an authoritarian, theocratic opposition then expect sincere genuine people to believe that once in power, you no longer believe in autocracy and theocracy.

“These are the differences we had in opposition.”

Chamisa’s silence on his future plans adds to the uncertainty surrounding the opposition’s direction. Some CCC legislators remain unsure of the path forward without their former leader.