CCC MPs boycott Parly: A bold Move or misguided action?

Providence Moyo

Residents  have expressed  mixed feelings  on the Citizens Coalition for Change Members of Parliament decision to boycott  parliament  earlier  this week. 

This emerged during a  virtual discussion  hosted by Centre for  Innovation  Technology (CITE),  under  the  topic ‘Your thoughts  on CCC boycotting parliament’ where residents views were  divided.

A participant, Marvel D  said the efforts by CCC to make positive  impact are welcome  regardless of the fact that those efforts  have not yielded positive change over the years since the inception  of opposition  in the Zimbabwean  history. 

“The opposition  tries to make an impact  in communities  hence as citizens we rally behind  them on most of their efforts, so, what they think  is good for the citizens  they should  do.  For opposition parties in Zimbabwe, it is all about utilising chances and them boycotting  parliament was an example of taking up a chance at their disposal because  their efforts so far have  not yet materialized. They are not sure of what really would make an impact”

Another participant,  Nqobile Tuja said opposition protests  after election results are not a new phenomenon  as they have been doing so for years without any meaningful impact.

“They can boycott  parliament  but to what what end?  The very same President  whom they call illegitimate  is being recognised  by the world and the most important institutions  in the country  like security forces. This CCC boycott borders on criminality and is a waste of tax payers’ money. They deserve to  be punished. Not showing up in Parliament  is a sign of betrayal because  we expect them to raise our concerns and we are hopeful  that this behaviour  will not become regular.”

 Speaking  on the same platform , human rights  defender and  political analyst, Mutssy  Salani said the move was retrogressive and punishable. 

“If they had grievances  they should have approached  the courts  and even  refused  to be sworn  in but they agreed to the swearing  in which gave the electorate  the belief  that they had accepted  the results  and were willing to move forward  for the sake of progress. This boycott  should not  go unchallenged  because  we are bound to see a situation where  they frequently  boycott  parliament but fail to boycott  benefits like cars.” 

 On Tuesday, CCC MPs boycotted the  opening of the 10th Parliament by President Emmerson Mnangagwa citing that he was an illegitimate President  after he won a disputed election where the opposition  bemoans voter suppression, intimidation  of voters and late distribution of voting material in CCC strongholds which they argue was intentional.