Factionalism and deep divisions within the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in Insiza North are sparking defections to Zanu PF, with disgruntled members blaming local leadership failures and internal strife that have paralysed party structures.
The developments highlight growing turmoil within the opposition party at grassroots level, where internal battles and leadership disputes are threatening organisational cohesion and weakening support in some communities.
Several members have crossed over, including Butholizwe Dube, Thandiwe Ncube and Elton Moyo, all from ward 23, who confirmed their decision to defect to Zanu PF.
The trio said its departure was caused by growing frustration with what it described as weak leadership and persistent factional fights within the party at local level.
Dube said prolonged inaction at ward level, coupled with deepening internal divisions, left the party dysfunctional.
“On top of that, constant divisions and factionalism within CCC in Insiza have made it impossible to trust the party anymore. We cannot continue to suffer while leadership remains inactive and torn apart,” Dube said.
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Ncube said the infighting eroded confidence among grassroots supporters.
“There has been little to no effort to address our concerns as a community. Instead, we see people fighting each other over positions and influence. We expected representation, but what we have seen is silence, inaction and endless squabbles,” she said.
Moyo echoed similar sentiments, saying factionalism has left members with little faith in the party’s ability
to function effectively.
“When leadership at the local level fails and the party is eaten up by factionalism, people are forced to look elsewhere. We are joining Zanu PF because we want progress, not excuses or internal fights,” he said.
The defectors said their grievances stemmed from governance failures at ward level and destructive divisions within the party’s local structures.
They claimed that more members are likely to defect in the coming weeks as frustration continues to grow and factional lines deepen within the party.
Efforts to get a comment from the area councillor, Nomsa Ncube, were unsuccessful as she had not responded to questions sent to her at the time of writing.
CCC has been embroiled in internal turmoil following a split that emerged after self-proclaimed secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu asserted control over the party’s parliamentary structures, a move that intensified tension with founding leader Nelson Chamisa and triggered multiple factions within the party.