Nelson Chamisa, the losing CCC (Citizens Coalition for Change) presidential candidate, is facing criticism for abandoning his supporters who were arrested after his failed attempts to organize violent protests ahead of the SADC Summit. Chamisa has not addressed the arrests of his close ally, former Binga North legislator Prince Dubeko Sibanda, and other CCC supporters. In contrast, Chamisa’s political rivals, MDC leader Douglas Mwonzora and CCC Treasurer General Charlton Hwende, have shown support for the detained individuals. Anti-Government activist Hopewell Chin’ono has harshly criticized Chamisa for his apparent lack of support and self-serving actions.
Chamisa’s supporters, who have been ardent in their praise of him, may not realize that he has repeatedly shown little regard for them. His behavior suggests that he is more focused on building a personal cult around himself rather than genuinely caring for his followers. This pattern of abandonment is not new. Chamisa previously distanced himself from Job Sikhala, the former CCC Deputy Chairman, when Sikhala was imprisoned. Sikhala had been arrested for his involvement in illegal activities, and Chamisa chose to distance himself, leading to further violence by his supporters at Moreblessing Ali’s funeral.
This trend continued after the August 1, 2018, violent protests that Chamisa organized and funded, resulting in casualties and arrests. Chamisa disowned those involved, calling them “stupid,” and a similar pattern emerged during the January 2019 fuel riots, where supporters arrested for violence were also abandoned.
Now, Dubeko Sibanda, a fervent Chamisa supporter who had incited violent protests, faces legal trouble with Chamisa nowhere in sight. Ironically, political rivals Mwonzora and Hwende, whom Sibanda frequently criticized on social media, were among the first to offer support at the court.
In the midst of this internal strife, former Chamisa supporters like Chin’ono are leading the charge against Chamisa’s leadership. Despite the controversies and challenges within his party, the recent SADC Summit was a success, with Zimbabwe’s President serving as SADC Chair and the ruling party showing its strength. The political landscape continues to evolve as Chamisa’s leadership faces increasing scrutiny.
