CCC candidate Manyere refuses to budge

Zim Now Writer

Aspiring Marondera Central National Assembly member who files his papers under the Citizens Coalition for Change banner, Misheck Manyere, said he will not betray his followers by withdrawing his candidature

Manyere said this at a Zimbabwe Union of Journalists-organised Press club discussion in Marondera.

He argued that he was chosen by the citizens.

Manyere successfully filed his nomination papers as a CCC candidate despite the opposition party saying Caston Matewu is its official candidate.

The CCC claims Manyere is among the more than 20 “bogus candidates” funded by a Zanu PF affiliate, Forever Associates Zimbabwe, to confuse opposition voters and divide votes.

“I am not going to withdraw as that would mean betraying the citizens who want me to go to Parliament,” Manyere said.

“We are almost there, the citizens will decide on August 23. If Matewu wins, I will be the first to congratulate him.”

CCC leader Nelson Chamisa, during a campaign rally in the town recently, declared Matewu as the party’s legitimate candidate for Marondera Central constituency.

The opposition party has failed to convince the “rebels” to withdraw their candidacy.

The CCC alleges signatures were forged on a number of nomination papers, resulting in 20 National Assembly constituencies and even more local authorities having more than one CCC candidate on the ballot paper.

This includes 15 Harare constituencies where there are multiple CCC “candidate”.

“I wanted to withdraw in the first place, and even signed an affidavit to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission but the citizens refused. They want me,” Manyere said.