Moses Madyira
CHIKOMBA—Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party led by Nelson Chamisa pulled a shocker when it barred Ward 9 sitting councilor, Christopher Muchenje for implementing pro poor projects in the transit town of Chivhu during his term of office.
Muchenje, arguably was the best-performing councilor in Chikomba district, according to residents, presided over the construction of Northwood Primary School with devolution funds as well as Northwood Roads using Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme funds, Buhera Road Solar Powered borehole with the help of NSSA, just to mention a few.
It is alleged that the opposition, CCC was not happy with a performing councilor and ended up accusing him of being pro-Zanu PF because he had all those projects approved by the ruling party-dominated council. Some of Muchenje’s projects which were covered by ZBC TV became the party’s minute evidence they used to depict Muchenje as pro-Zanu PF.
It is also argued that these were the same accusations that were leveled against the hugely popular Chiredzi Mayor, Alderman Gibson Hwende who was always on national television every now and then.
The party ended up fielding Felix Zhakata who is barely known in political circles in the transit town as their candidate for Ward 9. Zhakata will have to tussle with former police officer Newton Tamanikwa of Zanu PF.
In an interview with The Midweek Watch Muchenje said politics has no formula because anything can happen. He also registered his dissappoingment at the development.
“Politics has no formula because anything can happen. Due to my understanding of the expected conduct of sworn-in office bearers that the moment you assume office you will take off the political jacket and serve the ward you serve without prejudice and political connotations. I stood by my oath and served my constituency in good faith little did I know I was offside to my superiors.
“I thought my colleagues would come to their senses and realize whatever achievements I made were for their benefit as well. My former background as a former ZBC staffer was brought into the fore to portray me as an appendage of ZanuPF.
“To bolster ther argument they brought in the issue of coverage by ZBC TV on development projects in my ward and my comments acknowledging the role played by Central Government in achieving what we achieved as a ward.
“The powers that be felt the development I brought to the ward meant my alignment with the ruling party. This I feel is something that belittles the Party I represent. To be purged for delivering is a mockery. Development has no political name and it’s unfortunate the powers that be in the Party I represent sacrificed me for that. Things happen for a reason”, said Muchenje.
The insiders in the ruling party met the news with jubilation as they consider Zhakata a soft rock as compared to Muchenje. They also indicated that they had no hope of winning the ward but were excited by how the opposition helped them to ease their workload and raise their chances of winning back the ward.
“As a party, we are happy with the outcome in CCC because we had no hope of winning this ward but now that they have fielded a candidate who is barely known in politics we are now confident we will win back the ward, ” said one of the ruling party official who refused to be named.
In ward 11, another veteran opposition politician and former councillor Edwin Maseva was also sidelined to pave way for Collen Zarevashe, the former Chairperson of a vibrant Residents Association. Zvarevashe has been vocal in the transit town and became the leading voice in whipping the local authority into line. He will be tussling with Pedzisayi Muhenyeri of Zanu Pf.
