5 Citizens Coalition for Change Members Appear in Court Facing Charges of Violence, TheftFive members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa, who are facing charges of violence and theft, appeared in court today amid tensions in the country ahead of the forthcoming council and parliamentary by-elections. The state claims that Esnath Zishiri, Emma Chiriga, Garikai Mpandawana, Ropafadzo Tabe and Mathew Giyani were engaged in violence recently when the party was selecting candidates for a local authority by-election set for March 26th. Court documents indicate that the five allegedly violated Section 89 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and Section 113 of the same law. The complainant, Thokozile Muchuthuti, alleges that they beat her up and stole $449 when the party was selecting candidates when the Nomination Court was sitting in Masvingo early this month. Magistrate Grace Tupiri ordered the five, who have pleaded not guilty and are represented by Omen Mafa, to appear again in court on March 3, 2022. CCC vice chairperson for Masvingo, Lee Mahachi, claims that the ruling party and police are interfering with their operations in order to cause chaos in the party. “We know that they want to destroy our party. They are causing all these things in the party in order to destabilize it.” But Zanu PF activists have already distanced themselves from the court case. Muchuchuti has refused to allow the party’s favorite by-election candidate, Aleck Tabe, to run for CCC in Ward Four.