The claims suggest a clear departure from democratic
principles which the party claims to be entrenched in, with Adv Chamisa accused
of imposing his preferred candidates rather than allowing a fair and
transparent selection process. This stance was also reflected in the candidate
selection process for the harmonised elections which saw the party in some
instances fielding double candidates while in some, the candidates were almost
disqualified from participating in the elections for allegedly filing their papers
late.
In Bulawayo, last Monday, ward four councillor and former
Education Minister, David Coltart was elected Mayor and will be deputised by
Councillor Donaldson Mabuto of ward nine. Adv Chamisa is said to have endorsed
Clr Coltart for the topmost position in the city even before the harmonised
elections, while ward five councillor, Clr Octavius Dumisani Nkomo was supposed
to deputise him but he later backtracked on the latter, instead giving the
leeway for councillors to elect a deputy of their choice.
According to impeccable sources, Adv Chamisa had to
dispatch the party’s Beitbridge West legislator and former Beitbridge Mayor,
Hon Morgan Ncube to ensure that the councillors toe the line, amid revelations
that there were moves to defy his imposition directive.
The majority of councillors had agreed to defy Adv
Chamisa’s directive, especially on the deputy mayor position as they were
pushing for either Clr Edwin Ndlovu or Clr Octavius Dumisani Nkomo. The idea
was to use the two Zanu-PF councillors under the women’s quota to nominate,
then second the nomination, then they would get into a secret ballot scenario,
which they aimed to blindside Clr Mabuto. However, Adv Chamisa, through Hon
Ncube directed that the councillors insist on a vote by show of hands and if the
retaining officer insists on a secret ballot, the CCC councillors were to take
a picture of their votes before casting,” said the source.
It is reported that faced with a possible defiance, Adv
Chamisa was in constant communication with Hon Ncube.
“With this scenario,
a majority of councillors then developed cold feet. This is why when the
meeting was about to start, the now Mayor, Clr Coltart requested for a
10-minute adjournment, he was still consulting. It further explains why Clr
Coltart was the one who nominated Clr Mabuto to ensure that everyone knows the
directive received from the party. Further, for most of these councillors this
is their first notable position so the threat of being expelled made them
develop cold feet,” said the source.
Before the elections, Clr Nkomo was the front-runner to be
the deputy mayor position with the backing of members of the civic society who
argued that he carried their vested interests within the local authority.
Efforts to get a comment from the CCC spokesperson, Mr
Promise Mkwananzi, were fruitless as his mobile phone was not reachable. Sunday
News
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