The Nelson Chamisa-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has said while it has political disputes with the ZANU-PF government it does not have any reservations about the country’s independence.
Zimbabwe commemorated 42 years of independence Monday from Britain under the theme “Zim @ 42 leaving no one and no place behind” with the main event being held in Bulawayo for the first time in the history of the Southern African country.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the commemorations at the giant Barbourfields Stadium, CCC interim secretary-general, Charlton Hwende, who represented the newly formed political outfit, said they were happy to be part of the celebrations.
“As CCC we are happy to be here,” said Hwende.
“As you are aware CCC is a new political party. This is our very first independence celebration, that’s why Advocate Chamisa, our president has sent us here to come and represent, to join other Zimbabweans in celebrating our independence.”
He went further to say: “We do not have any dispute with the government concerning the independence or the sacrifices that were made by citizens and Zimbabweans that liberated us. That’s why we are here.”
Hwende said their political disputes with the sitting government have nothing to do with independence.
He was however quick to say his party is on record they do not agree with the manner in which the current leadership was elected and the way elections are held in Zimbabwe.
“We want them (government) to carry out so that the elections cannot be contested in future; so those are our issues,” said Hwende.
“The liberation struggle was for Zimbabweans. The issues that people went to fight for are the very same issues that we want to push ZANU-PF out of office for so that we can implement and finish the unfinished agenda of the liberation struggle.”
He explained further: “The issues of one man, one vote. Those are the issues that young people shed their blood for. These are the issues that we are still fighting for. For example, we want the land to be in the hands of productive Zimbabweans, not a few corrupt ZANU-PF ministers. So those are the issues.”
Some of the other opposition politicians who graced the Uhuru celebrations included MDC Alliance leader Douglas Mwonzora, Linda Masarira president of the Labour, Economists and African Democrats party (LEAD), Lovemore Madhuku of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), among others.
