The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party has written a letter to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to seek clarification regarding a situation of name similarity. This was after it was discovered that a person named Chitembe David from Harare East Constituency had registered to contest in the Parliamentary elections as a candidate for a political party named Changu Chimuti Chakapinda Chapinda (CCCC), which bears a resemblance to the CCC party.
The party inquired if the CCCC party exists and how it was possible for someone to register with a political party that has a name identical to theirs. The CCC has also expressed curiosity about the use of similar symbols by various political parties and requested ZEC to clarify this issue to the citizens. In an open letter seen by Pindula News, the CCC led by Nelson Chamisa said:
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Dear @ZECzim, 
We wanted to inquire whether there exists a political party by the name of Changu Chimuti Chakapinda Chapinda (CCCC). We are curious about the electoral law with regard to the use of similar symbols by various parties. We are wondering how someone was registered with a political party that is identical to our party, CCC. Could you kindly clarify this to the citizens?
</blockquote>
Over the years, Zimbabwe’s political landscape has been marked by instances of name similarity among political parties. Examples include the MDC-T party led by Thokozani Khupe, which was accused in 2018 of using a symbol similar to that of the MDC Alliance party then led by Nelson Chamisa. Other examples include Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formations such as MDC T, MDC M, MDC 
Alliance, MDC 99 as well as the ZANU Ndonga, PF ZAPU, ZANU PF, ZIM PF, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Citizens Collaboration for Change (CCC), Citizens Convergence for Change (CCC), and Changu Chimuti Chakapinda Chapinda (CCCC).
Political analysts believe that this situation can lead to voter confusion and raise concerns about the credibility of the electoral process. They argue that this is caused by the absence of eligibility tests for political parties, therefore, having a central registry where parties can register and deposit their names, symbols, colours, and logos would help prevent conflicts and enable voters to make informed choices.
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Pindula News

CCC Writes To ZEC Over Case Of Name Similarity

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Nelson_Chamisa">Nelson Chamisa</a> has reportedly been unanimously nominated to stand as the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.
Chamisa is the founding leader of the party and his allies have described him as the party’s “best foot” to challenge ZANU PF leader, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, for the second time after narrowly losing the race in 2018.
The opposition party will today begin its candidates’ selection process after it adopted a <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/chamisa-speaks-on-the-nomination-of-ccc-candidates/">citizens-centred selection process</a>, whereby candidates are selected based on consensus by the electorate.
Speaking at a press conference in Harare yesterday, CCC deputy spokesperson Gift “Ostallos” Siziba said: 
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It is without doubt president Chamisa is the candidate of choice as confirmed by the momentum by ordinary people ahead of our nomination tomorrow (today).
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A CCC membership group in China tweeted:
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FROM THE EAST. There is a resounding and, or significant accord that advocate @nelsonchamisa should serve as the presidential candidate for the Citizens Coalition for Change. He still stands out as the best candidate moving forward.
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The party announced its candidates’ selection panel for all provinces, which will be led by human rights defender Rashid Mahiya. The panel includes members from various organizations and sectors such as ZINASUu, women’s activism, churches, CSOs, and residents’ associations, as well as a lecturer and a person with disabilities/legal background.
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Chamisa Unanimously Nominated As CCC Presidential Candidate In 2023 Elections

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Madzibaba_VeShanduko">Godfrey Karembera</a>, popularly known as <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Madzibaba_VeShanduko">Madzibaba Veshanduko</a> is reportedly facing eviction from his Guruve rural home, the party said. 
In a Twitter post seen by Pindula News, CCC spokesperson <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Fadzayi_Mahere">Fadzayi Mhere</a> stated that the party is yet to establish the reason behind the intended eviction. She said:
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We have received a report that Madzibaba Veshanduko is facing eviction from his homestead. He’s been summoned to the chief’s court this morning in the court of Chief Chiporiro. We are yet to be briefed on the full facts of the matter. Once we have the full brief we will respond appropriately.
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Madzibaba Veshanduko is popular for being one of CCC’s top activists who never miss the party’s rallies.
On 17 March 2022, he was <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/arrested-and-tortured-madzibaba-veshanduko-narrates-ordeal/">arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and undermining the authority</a> of the police by insulting them.
While the State alleged that he insulted the police by calling them dogs, his lawyers said he was arrested in Harare CBD and was tortured for wearing yellow.
Narrating his ordeal, he said the police officers “were just beating me. They never told me what the matter was.”
He said they were assaulting him with batons.
He was hospitalised following the ordeal and doctors told him that his kidneys might have been damaged during the assault.
The State also alleged that he wanted to uproot the infamous Mbuya Nehanda statue in Harare CBD.
He was eventually granted $10 000 bail by a Harare magistrate.
His prosecution is pending before the courts.
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Madzibaba Veshanduko Faces Eviction From His Guruve Rural Home

The opposition <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Citizens%27_Coalition_for_Change">Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)</a> led by <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Nelson_Chamisa">Nelson Chamisa</a> has said it will work with all uniformed forces “in the new Zimbabwe”.
The remarks come after former Local Government Minister, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Ignatius_Chombo">Ignatius Chombo</a>, warned Chamisa that the army Generals were not going to salute him and would never allow the ruling party ZANU PF to lose power.
In a Twitter post, Chombo said;
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Chamisa himself knows he is too small to be saluted by these men of war. These generals are waiting for their turn on the presidency and this can only happen when Zanu Pf is in power, so even if Zanu Pf loses the election why would they let it go without a fight?
</blockquote>
In a Twitter post this Tuesday, the opposition party appears to be responding to Chombo’s remarks by assuring that the CCC government won’t be hostile to the security sector. Reads the Twitter post seen by Pindula News:
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<blockquote>
<h2 lang="en">A NEW GREAT ZIMBABWE PLAN: </h2>
We will honour, protect and work with all men and women in uniform. We will and must reward the patriotism and integrity of our security services. 
</blockquote>
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We salute our citizens security services – the citizens’ army, citizens’ police and citizens’ intelligence and prison services. Behold the new!
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<h2 lang="en">Some context:</h2>
The opposition has over the years been calling for security sector reforms saying the sector was captured by the ruling ZANU PF.
Government critics, including the opposition, argued that the army, police and Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) were now partisan.
In previous elections, security forces allegedly assaulted members of the opposition at the instigation of the ruling party, a sign that they would not allow regime change.
ZANU PF officials have given contradicting statements with regard to power transfer. Some say power won’t be transferred to the opposition even if ZANU PF loses. In 2018, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared that his party was going to hand over power to another political party in the event that it loses the 2018 harmonised elections. 
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"We Will Honour, Protect And Work With All Men And Women In Uniform" - CCC

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Tendai_Biti">Tendai Biti</a>, a former Finance and Economic Development Minister during the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Government_of_National_Unity">Government of National Unity (GNU)</a> has claimed that US$3.5 billion has been siphoned from the public sector to cartels through the RBZ foreign currency system.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) i<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/06/17/full-text-rbz-introduces-a-foreign-exchange-auction-trading-system/">ntroduced the Foreign Exchange Auction Trading System on 23 June 2020</a> in a bid to bring transparency and efficiency to the trading of foreign currency in the economy. 
The Zimbabwean dollar was losing value against the United States Dollar (USD) and authorities argued that the parallel market, where businesses got most of their forex, was worsening the situation. 
The total cumulative foreign exchange auction allotments as of August 2022, since the inception of the Foreign Exchange Auction System, stand at US$3 521 882 028, <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/09/22/rbz-foreign-exchange-payments-for-january-to-august-2022-full-statement/">according to the RBZ</a>.
Biti, a vice president in the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change led by Nelson Chamisa believes the money went to cartels. He said in Twitter posts seen by Pindula News:
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From day one we argued that Foreign Exchange Auction system was a fraud facilitating transfer of wealth from public coffers to cartelsUS$ 3.5 b has been syphoned from public sector to cartels via the auction system from its inception. But economy has nothing to show for this
The massive auction fraud funded by the public requires a forensic value-for-money audit. Who got what, for what purpose, was there delivery or performance? Such an audit will expose the extractive predatory status quo of the Central Bank &amp; why it must be shut down.
</blockquote>
The RBZ periodically publishes a <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/12/30/rbz-forex-beneficiaries-allotments-from-january-december-2021/">list of beneficiaries of the auction system.</a>
RBZ reports suggest that the bulk of the auction allotments was for payment for raw materials followed by machinery and equipment.
Other things paid for include consumables, retail and distribution, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, packaging, and fuel, electricity and gas 
<h2><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

"US$3.5 Bn Siphoned From Public Sector To Cartels Via Auction System" - Biti

Information, Broadcasting and Publicity Minister, Senator <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Monica_Mutsvangwa">Monica Mutsvangwa</a> has condemned the <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/ccc-security-assaults-newshawks-journalist-in-chinhoyi/">“barbaric and outrageous assault of journalists”</a> at a Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) rally in Chinhoyi over the weekend.
NewsHawks journalist <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/ccc-security-assaults-newshawks-journalist-in-chinhoyi/">Ruvimbo Muchenje</a> and Nunurai Jena were harassed by the party’s security personnel who were manning the event. 
In a statement seen by Pindula News, Minister Mutsvangwa said:
<blockquote>
<h2>ASSAULT OF JOURNALISTS AT A RALLY IN CHINHOYI AT THE WEEKEND </h2>
The Ministry condemns the barbaric and outrageous assault of journalists at a rally in Chinhoyi over the weekend.
The journalists, Ruvimbo Muchenje and Nunurai Jena were humiliated, harassed and prevented from executing their duties by party security officers as they tried to gain entry into Gadzema stadium to cover the rally on 11 September 2022.
We have witnessed this trend of harassing and assaulting reporters growing in the last couple of weeks and as Government we do not condone any acts of violence against journalists. Political parties should remember they are responsible for mishaps that happen at their rallies and should at all times restrain their supporters and security officers. The attack on female journalists borders on gender-based violence, something we have strongly spoken about.
It is the right of the media to cover events and for information to be given to them. Political parties should not muzzle the Press and decide the events they want them to cover. 
</blockquote>
CCC’s national spokesperson, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Fadzayi_Mahere">Fadzayi Mahere</a> said an assault on Ruvimbo followed <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/suspected-zanu-pf-activists-detonate-explosives-at-ccc-rally/">the explosion that was recorded at the scene.</a> It is reported that <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/mahere-says-there-was-another-assassination-attempt-on-nelson-chamisa/">suspected petrol bombs exploded</a> at the scene. <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/ccc-confirms-assault-on-journalist-ruvimbo-muchenje-issues-apology/">Said Mahere:</a>
<blockquote>
After the detonation of the explosives, the security team immediately intensified security at all entry points of the venue to safeguard against a further security breach inside the venue. The security team further had to manage the panicked crowd which was trying to run to safety. 
In the midst of this emergency response effort, a misunderstanding arose between journalist Ruvimbo Muchenje and one of our security officers leading to a regrettable incident of assault. Our communications team immediately stepped in to de-escalate the incident.
</blockquote>
Mahere said the party had since approached Ruvimbo Muchenje directly to offer “our unreserved apology for the incident. She graciously accepted our apology. For the avoidance of doubt, we remain committed to ensuring a free and safe environment for journalists who cover our events.”
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Information Minister Mutsvangwa Speaks On Assault Of Two Journalists At CCC Rally

There was an explosion at the venue where the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa was having its rally this Sunday.
<a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/breaking-suspected-petrol-bomb-explodes-at-ccc-chinhoyi-rally/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> reports that the explosion occurred as Chamisa’s motorcade was about to enter Gadzema stadium in Chinhoyi.
The publication reports that suspected ZANU PF activists drove past the venue and detonated explosives sending panic among the gathered crowd.
The loud explosion shook the grounds.
Eyewitnesses said told <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/breaking-suspected-petrol-bomb-explodes-at-ccc-chinhoyi-rally/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> that “a man in a silver car dropped ‘something’ and a few minutes later it exploded.”
Interim CCC national organiser Amos Chibaya calmed the potentially chaotic situation and told supporters that desperate Zanu-PF activists wanted to destabilise the party’s thank you rally.
The party was having its thank you rally after winning five out of the six local authority by-elections in Chinhoyi’s Ward 2, 3, 8, 12 and 14. Its candidates who won are Patricia Chibaya, Richard Vhitirinyu, Mukudzei Chigumbura, Dyke Makumbi and Chipo Mhlotswa romped to victory.
Th opposition party previously claimed that the ruling ZANU PF was afraid of losing the 2023 elections and was, therefore, resorting to violence to intimidate its supporters.
ZANU PF has in the past denied the allegations that it was assaulting CCC members.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

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