Former opposition Member of Parliament Eddie Cross believes that Nelson Chamisa, the former leader of the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC), missed a golden opportunity to advance his political career by declining an offer to become the leader of the opposition in Parliament.
Following the disputed 2018 presidential election, reports indicated that President Emmerson Mnangagwa offered Chamisa the position, which he reportedly rejected.
In an online podcast, Cross said accepting the role could have elevated Chamisa’s profile and increased his chances of eventually defeating ZANU PF, but he displayed arrogance by turning it down. Said Cross (via <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/mnangagwa-ally-rebukes-chamisa-for-declining-job-offer-to-be-leader-of-opposition-in-parliament/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>):
<blockquote>
I said to him he (Mnangagwa) has offered you the leader of the opposition post, he has offered you the status, he has offered you a place on the front bench in the House of Assembly.
…he has offered you an office, drivers, security, a salary, take it and sit there for 10 years, (perhaps) five years… because you are very, very effective, television-wise and so on and establish yourself. Learn.
</blockquote>
Cross also accused the opposition of running down cities and towns where they dominate councils, saying this demonstrates how they would govern the country.
He said unlike, South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA), CCC activists have created a mess in the cities and towns they control. Said Cross:
<blockquote>
Look at the mess our cities are in. Has Chamisa made any difference to the administration of our cities, and to the quality of life of our people?
At least the DA in South Africa has made the Western Cape a success, but here every city run by CCC is just as rotten as it would have been under ZANU PF.
If Chamisa had any sense, whatsoever, he could have turned his power base into a real weapon of change.
</blockquote>
However, the opposition attributes the poor state of cities and towns to the central government, accusing the Ministry of Local Government of undermining local authorities by interfering in their affairs.
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Nelson Chamisa, a former opposition leader, was offered a big job in Parliament but he said no. Eddie Cross thinks he made a mistake because he could have become more popular and strong. Cross said that Chamisa should have taken the opportunity to learn and grow. Cross also criticized the opposition for not doing a good job in running cities and towns. The opposition blames the central government for this. Chamisa could have used his power to make big changes.

Cross Criticises Chamisa For Rejecting Leader Of Opposition In Parliament Position

CCC leader Nelson Chamisa said that President Emmerson Mnangagwa will have a seat in Zimbabwe’s 10th Parliament as Leader of the Opposition.
In 2018, Mnangagwa offered Chamisa a similar post as his administration was confident that Zimbabwe would be readmitted into the Commonwealth, something which has not materialised five years later. Mnangagwa said:
<blockquote>
Under our Commonwealth parliamentary democracy, the opposition is recognised; we recognise the leader of the opposition in Parliament. This is what we are going to do ourselves.
</blockquote>
A constitutional amendment was reportedly considered by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, but Chamisa rejected the proposal, insisting that his “victory” in the 2018 presidential race was stolen.
Addressing his supporters at a rally in the Chirumanzu South constituency where he had gone to drum up support for the CCC parliamentary candidate Patrick Cheza, Chamisa said:
<blockquote>
We are going to deal with nation-building, we want to unite people. We want to celebrate national events as a country.
Mnangagwa will be the leader of the opposition in Parliament starting on the 24th.
A leader of the opposition is not an enemy of the state, he is an extension because the government is not one side, it is two sides, the opposing side and the governing side but these comrades of mine do not know that.
</blockquote>
Chamisa also promised a 15-member Cabinet of performance-based ministers to curb over-spending by the State. He said:
<blockquote>
Do not choose darkness over light. Governance is the second thing that we are going to fix.
We no longer want MPs and Ministers who get elected so as to abuse public funds, we want people who know that Ministers are about developing this country.
We will have just 15 Ministers, the moment we get more than those then it will simply be a ‘jobs for the boys’ situation.
Let us have a mean and lean government that is accountable, where one who fails leaves.
</blockquote>
In 2018, Mnangagwa narrowly avoided a presidential election rerun against Chamisa after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) declared him the winner with 50.8% of the vote.
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