Chamisa cries infiltration after former CCC official lands Mnangagwa Senate appointment
‘Now you see it’: Chamisa cries after ex-CCC official Dube lands Senate post under constitutional amendment she opposed
HARARE — Former Citizens Coalition for Change leader Nelson Chamisa has renewed claims that Zimbabwe’s opposition was infiltrated after former senior CCC official Brilliant Dube was named among 10 people President Emmerson Mnangagwa intends to appoint to the Senate.
Dube, who served as CCC director of protocol in 2022, was more recently associated with the Constitution Defenders Forum, which campaigned against Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3.
Mnangagwa signed the bill into law in July and is now using powers created by the amendment to appoint 10 senators.
Former CCC official and Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart questioned Dube’s appointment.
“Work this one out – Brilliant Dube was Director of Protocol of CCC in 2022 and today was appointed by Mr Mnangagwa to the Senate. Only recently she was supposedly a leading light in opposing CAB3,” Coltart wrote on X.
Former CCC deputy spokesperson Gift Ostallos Siziba also weighed in, describing infiltration as “a serious challenge faced by movements and institutions across the world.”
“Going forward, any serious movement seeking to defeat the regime in Harare and build a democratic Zimbabwe will have to invest in intelligence, counter-intelligence, institutional security and robust information-verification systems,” Siziba said.
Chamisa later issued a statement saying developments surrounding the amendment and the opposition had vindicated his decision to quit the CCC in January 2024.
“THE CAT NOW OUT OF THE BAG,” Chamisa wrote.
“When Tshabangu happened and when I left the CCC snake pit, many were simply too slow to see ED’s endgame: manipulating the Constitution and using every available means to illegally extend illegitimate term in office.”
Chamisa was referring to Sengezo Tshabangu, who claimed to be CCC interim secretary-general and recalled dozens of opposition lawmakers and councillors following the 2023 elections.
Chamisa accused Mnangagwa’s administration of using money, infiltration and state power to weaken its opponents.
“The scale of bribery, infiltration and manipulation through money, trinkets, state capture, and the abuse of power is staggering,” he said.
Chamisa said the developments provided an opportunity to rebuild the opposition with people whose loyalties were clearer.
“Now it’s easy to start afresh because pretenders and infiltrators are now fully known and more will come out,” he said. “We’re starting all over again. A fresh start!”
Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda announced Tuesday that Mnangagwa intended to appoint Dube alongside Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Jabulani Sibanda, Mary Mliswa, Nokuthula Matsikenyere, Godwills Masimirembwa, Lucy Chitaga, retired Maj. Gen. Gibson Mashingaidze, Makhosini Hlongwane and Irene Mutumbwa.
The appointments are being made under Section 120(1)(e) of the Constitution, as amended, which gives the president power to appoint 10 senators chosen for their professional skills and other competencies after consultation with the National Assembly.
