Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) member Brilliant Dube’s appointment as one of 10 senators announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa has triggered a public exchange between journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and CCC leader Nelson Chamisa over the movement’s leadership and its former structures.

The exchange began after Chin’ono reacted to Dube’s appointment by revisiting a 2022 birthday post by former CCC spokesperson Gift Ostallos Siziba, in which he praised Dube, who was then described as a bureaucrat serving in the Presidency.

In the 2022 post, Siziba said Dube, as director of protocol, had demonstrated “amazing work capabilities” in ensuring that her principal, then described as the president, operated swiftly.

“We salute her and celebrate such dedication, precision, dexterity and clarity of thought,” Siziba wrote in the post, before wishing Dube a happy birthday.

Responding to the old post, Chin’ono wrote: “Mnangagwa’s new senator. I could not help but laugh at the way they were bootlicking her in the comments. These are the same supporters who insulted us in 2022 when we sounded the alarm.”

Chin’ono said the developments should be a lesson for opposition supporters to listen to concerns, investigate claims and examine evidence instead of defending political personalities without question.

He also raised questions about Dube’s appointment, asking who recommended and appointed her and what political or personal links connected those involved.

“What happened behind the scenes between that glowing endorsements from supporters in 2022 and her appointment as Mnangagwa’s senator today?” Chin’ono asked.

He argued that appointments of this nature required transparency about how they were made, whom they rewarded and whose interests they served.

Chin’ono then broadened his criticism to the structure and leadership of the CCC under Chamisa. He said Chamisa founded the CCC and made himself its president but did not establish a constitution, elected leadership or accountable party structures.

He identified Fadzayi Mahere, who he said was fired as spokesperson on the eve of the election, national organiser Amos Chibaya and deputy spokesperson Gift Ostallos Siziba as the other publicly recognised national officials.

According to Chin’ono, decision-making within the movement remained centred on Chamisa, who selected candidates and controlled key decisions while resisting calls to establish stronger democratic structures.

He said this leadership model left the movement vulnerable to infiltration and rejected the argument that infiltrators simply entered the organisation without responsibility being attached to its leadership.

“If CCC became a snake pit, who built the pit? If infiltrators occupied the movement, through whose leadership did they enter and rise?” Chin’ono asked.

He said infiltration was more likely to thrive where there were no clear rules, transparent records, elected structures, collective decision-making or accountability mechanisms.

Chin’ono also referred to previous warnings from people who had raised concerns about the structure of the CCC. He specifically cited political commentator Dr Alex Magaisa, saying Magaisa had urged Chamisa to establish a constitution and proper leadership structures to prevent the problems that later emerged.

Chin’ono said supporters had defended Chamisa’s decisions despite the warnings and that those who raised concerns were often insulted, attacked or labelled enemies and sellouts.

He further argued that Chamisa should accept responsibility for decisions made under his leadership instead of blaming the movement’s problems solely on infiltrators or other individuals.

According to Chin’ono, any genuine political renewal should begin with an acknowledgement of what went wrong and an apology to supporters before a new political project is launched.

He also said criticism of Chamisa’s leadership should not be treated as an excuse to ignore allegations of ZANU PF infiltration or the abuse of state power.

Chamisa, who had not publicly responded to Chin’ono’s criticism before the latest exchange, responded directly to the journalist.

“Dear Hopewell Chin’ono, a proper and balanced journalist is a truth-teller who reports facts, not fiction,” Chamisa said. He accused Chin’ono of being a propagandist who peddled “lies and misinformation” in the interests of the oppressors.

“I have tolerated your tomfoolery for far too long. Enough is enough,” Chamisa said.

Chin’ono responded by asking Chamisa to identify the specific statements he considered false and provide evidence showing what was incorrect.

“Please identify the specific lies and misinformation you claim I have peddled. Point to the precise statement, explain what is false about it and provide the correct facts,” Chin’ono said.

He argued that Chamisa, as a political actor and opposition leader, should expect scrutiny and criticism from journalists.

“Criticism does not become propaganda merely because it makes you or your supporters uncomfortable,” Chin’ono said.

Chin’ono also challenged Chamisa’s use of the word “tolerated”, arguing that journalists do not require permission from politicians to carry out their work.

“A politician does not tolerate a journalist. Journalists do not require permission from politicians to do their work,” he said.

Chin’ono further said the language used by Chamisa suggested that criticism was acceptable only for as long as the politician permitted it, which he argued was inconsistent with democratic principles.

He also referred to Chamisa’s supporters as having a “powerful cultic following” and said he would not be intimidated by them.

“I would rather stand alone telling an uncomfortable truth than join a crowd united by comforting untruths,” Chin’ono said.

The journalist said he was prepared to correct any factual error if Chamisa could demonstrate that one had been made.

“If you demonstrate that I made a genuine factual error, I will correct it because that is what responsible journalists do,” Chin’ono said