Gift Ostallos Siziba, the spokesperson for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has fiercely criticized the summoning of the opposition leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa, to testify before the Harare City Commission of Inquiry, led by Justice (rtd) Maphios Cheda.
According to Siziba, this move is another example of the Zimbabwean government’s misuse of taxpayers’ money and a continuation of its campaign to intimidate Chamisa, the legitimate winner of the 2018 and 2023 Presidential elections.
Siziba argued that the regime is prioritizing theatrics and political tactics over addressing the country’s pressing issues. He pointed out that Zimbabwe is losing an estimated US$1.2 billion annually to illicit gold outflows, a figure confirmed by the country’s Prosecutor General and the Minister of Home Affairs. Despite this, the government has chosen to focus on what Siziba called “a farcical inquiry,” rather than tackling critical challenges like the energy crisis, economic reindustrialization, and providing basic services such as decent housing, clean water, and an effective public transport system.
The inquiry, which is allegedly targeting corruption within Harare City Council, has raised eyebrows over its focus on President Chamisa. The regime justifies his summons by claiming that Chamisa is the leader of the councillors under scrutiny. However, Siziba dismissed this reasoning as nonsensical and contradictory. He pointed out that when Chamisa wrote to Parliament affirming that he was the leader of the CCC, he made it clear that neither he nor the party had recalled any MPs or councillors. Despite this, the regime had previously claimed that Sengezo Tshabangu was the leader of the CCC.
Siziba also mocked the inconsistency of the regime’s stance, which he claims shifts depending on the political convenience of the moment. “When it suits the regime, Tshabangu is the leader. But when trouble arises, suddenly President Chamisa is in charge?” Siziba said. “This doublespeak is pure gibberish.”
Further complicating the situation, the commission presented an audio recording allegedly involving Councillor Duma, which claimed he acted under Chamisa’s instructions. However, Siziba highlighted that in the audio, Duma explained he acted following public condemnation by both Chamisa and President Emmerson Mnangagwa regarding the demolitions of houses in Harare. This, Siziba argued, does not support the claim that Chamisa gave any instructions related to corrupt activities. He also pointed out that when the alleged misconduct occurred, Duma was not even the committee chair—another councillor, Kudzai, held that position at the time.
Siziba emphasized that the inquiry is an attempt to implicate Chamisa in baseless allegations, undermining the legitimacy of the process. He praised Chamisa for eloquently addressing the commission and dismantling the accusations against him, leading to his quick release after less than 20 minutes of questioning. “Another sham exposed, another colossal waste of public funds done by the regime in Harare,” Siziba concluded.
In his statement, Siziba reiterated that while the regime chases political shadows, the real culprits of corruption and mismanagement continue to enrich themselves at the expense of the nation.
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