Former Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) Chiredzi Town Council chairman Gibson Hwende has defected to ZANU PF, saying it is futile to continue opposing President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Hwende made his announcement at a ZANU PF gathering at Chitsanga Hall in Chiredzi on Saturday, where he was publicly welcomed following his defection.
Ironically, he has been a vocal critic of Mnangagwa in the past but expressed admiration for the ZANU PF leader, describing him as a “listening president.”
Hwende lost the CCC nomination for the Chiredzi Central National Assembly Constituency in the general elections held on August 23, 2023.
He subsequently ran as an independent candidate but was unsuccessful, with CCC candidate Ropafadzo Makumire winning the seat.
Hwende’s defection was revealed during a thank-you rally led by current Chiredzi Town Council chairperson Jameson Charumbira.
Speaking to The Mirror after the event, Hwende claimed his decision to join ZANU PF was motivated by his belief in Mnangagwa’s approach to leadership. He said:
<blockquote>
Mnangagwa is a listening president and he inspired me, I witnessed a lot of developments done by him under a short period of time and it’s madness to keep on opposing good development.
</blockquote>
Hwende said does not hold any grudge against former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa, saying: “I don’t have any bad blood with him, but opposition yadhakwa”.
Also announced as joining ZANU PF on the day is Chiredzi Government Primary School Development Committee (SDC) chairman, Artwell Muzvrwandoga and his deputy Shepherd Nyoni.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Gibson Hwende, a former CCC chairman, has joined ZANU PF because he thinks it's not worth opposing President Mnangagwa anymore. He praised Mnangagwa's leadership. Hwende lost in the elections and decided to switch parties. He thinks it's important to support good development. Hwende has no hard feelings towards Nelson Chamisa. Another person, Artwell Muzvrwandoga, also joined ZANU PF.

Gibson Hwende Defects To ZANU PF, Says Opposing Mnangagwa A Waste Of Time

About 200,000 former opposition members have reportedly joined ZANU PF under its Kumusha/Home/Ekhaya (KHE) programme in the past few years.
KHE is housed under the ZANU PF Commissariat Department and is being led by its director and former MDC Member of Parliament, Blessing Chebundo.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/200k-ex-opposition-members-join-zanu-pf">The Sunday Mail</a>, Chebundo said the department would continue to reach out to those in the opposition so that they join the ruling party. He said:
<blockquote>
So far, we have 200,000 people in our books who have joined the ruling party from the opposition. In Mashonaland West, at least 6,000 people have joined the party.
</blockquote>
ZANU PF Political Commissar Mike Bimha said the former opposition members should be welcomed with open arms. He said:
<blockquote>
We want more people to come through to ZANU PF and from their testament, the Government, led by President Mnangagwa, is doing the right things to address people’s concerns.
</blockquote>
The latest to join the party include opposition bigwigs in Mashonaland West province such as Gift Konjani, Takalani Matibe and Virginia Mafuta.
Speaking at a ceremony hosted for them in Chegutu on Saturday, the defectors said that they were won over by ZANU PF’s development-oriented policies. Konjana said:
<blockquote>
My Damascene moment came when I took time to look at the environment and works being carried out since the coming of the Second Republic.
I realised that it was important to put my weight behind the work that was being done by President Mnangagwa.
</blockquote>
Matibe, who is a former MDC Member of Parliament for Chegutu West constituency, said:
<blockquote>
The mantra by President Mnangagwa, that of leaving no one and no place behind, made me realise that I should join the train towards development.
I realised that if I decided to stay in an environment of perpetual negativity, I would be the one to miss out while others were progressing.
</blockquote>
The defection of opposition members to ZANU PF has weakened opposition parties’ political influence.
Internal divisions within opposition ranks have intensified as some members question the defections and the effectiveness of their leadership.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Gibson Hwende Latest News

Latest Jobs