Felix Sibanda questions Chamisa's political comeback

Former Bulawayo Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) senator Felix Magalela Sibanda has cast doubt on Nelson Chamisa's return to politics, accusing the former leader of abandoning his supporters at a critical moment. Chamisa announced last week that he is ending his sabbatical, which began in January 2024 when he abruptly left the CCC, the party he helped form in 2022.

Chamisa had cited "infiltration" by the ruling Zanu-PF as the reason for his departure, following the emergence of Sengezo Tshabangu, a suspected Zanu-PF proxy who claimed the party's secretary-general position and began recalling elected opposition representatives shortly after the 2023 elections. Chamisa described his exit as avoiding "swimming in a river with hungry crocodiles," referring to CCC members he accused of colluding with the ruling party.

Last Friday, Chamisa unveiled his "Agenda 2026," a plan aimed at unseating President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government. The initiative focuses on building national consensus, reclaiming citizen agency and leadership, preparing for a future citizens' government, driving a "moral revolution," and re-engaging the international community.

Sibanda, however, expressed scepticism about the plan, questioning its substance and Chamisa's intentions. "I doubt his intentions because he abandoned his flock in the middle of the sea without warning his compatriots. I give him a 15% rating on coming back," Sibanda said.

He criticised Chamisa for returning without an executive or committee, describing the move as a "one-man, one-band show" that risks being undemocratic and potentially disastrous. Sibanda acknowledged Chamisa's charisma but warned that popularity alone is not enough. "As long as we abuse people's trust, people end up vomiting your good name and deeds," he said.

Sibanda also noted that Chamisa failed to consult his former colleagues, particularly those recalled by Tshabangu, and accused him of avoiding direct mention of Mnangagwa as the source of Zimbabwe's problems. "He is speaking in tongues as if Mnangagwa is untouchable. If Mnangagwa and his junta are untouchable, what will be the status of violence towards the elections?" he asked.

Reflecting on his two-decade association with Chamisa, Sibanda emphasised that Agenda 2026 cannot succeed without recognising the contributions of leaders such as Welshman Ncube, Tendai Biti, Douglas Mwonzora, Obert Gutu, Job Sikhala, and Thokozani Khupe. He said Chamisa must engage with youthful organisations and rebuild trust to maintain credibility.

Sibanda warned that suppressing youth participation and ignoring collective input risks undermining Chamisa's comeback. "Trust is very important. You cannot decide on your own to dump people in the middle of the sea. You bring the problem to the people so that we tackle it together," he said, urging for a more inclusive and pragmatic approach to reviving Zimbabwean opposition politics.