Over 130 members of Zimbabwe’s opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party have defected to join the ruling ZANU-PF party in Masvingo West ahead of the August elections.
The former CCC members handed over their party regalia to ZANU-PF leaders during a campaign rally in Masvingo district. Senior ZANU-PF officials, including Masvingo West District Coordinating Committee Chair Tawanda Dube, attended the rally at Car Park near Gomba Business Centre.
The rally was held to drum up support for ZANU-PF’s National Assembly candidate for Masvingo West, incumbent legislator Ezra Chadzamira. Chadzamira, who is also Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, is facing off against CCC candidate Pedzisai Gasva in the election.
The defecting CCC members said they were frustrated with the lack of direction in the opposition party and alleged imposition of candidates by CCC’s leadership.
Chadzamira welcomed the defectors, saying they had made a good decision to reject opposition politics. He said ZANU-PF under President Mnangagwa was a people-centered party that was rolling out infrastructure projects across Zimbabwe.
Chadzamira expressed confidence in his reelection, saying the opposition had nothing to offer. ZANU-PF officials in Masvingo said the defections show that ZANU-PF is the dominant party and is on track to sweep all 26 National Assembly seats in the province.
