Eddie Cross Blasts Chamisa’s Leadership: Claims Vindication Over Opposition’s Downfall

Retired politician Eddie Cross has reignited the debate over Nelson Chamisa’s leadership, harshly critiquing the former opposition leader’s capability. Chamisa’s departure from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) still stirs controversy.

Cross, a longtime observer of Zimbabwe’s opposition dynamics, recently voiced concerns about Chamisa’s leadership qualities. According to Cross, the fragmentation of CCC is closely tied to Chamisa’s failure to steer the party effectively after Morgan Tsvangirai’s death in 2018.

In a candid online podcast, Cross reflected on his lack of support for Chamisa from the outset. He believed Chamisa lacked the political maturity and charisma necessary to fill Tsvangirai’s shoes, which marked the beginning of CCC’s downfall.

Cross noted that the “heart and spirit” of the MDC, the opposition movement founded by Tsvangirai, departed with its leader. He argued that Chamisa, despite his intellect, did not demonstrate the required maturity to hold the opposition together during turbulent times.

Cross went further, accusing Chamisa of self-centered leadership. He highlighted Chamisa’s alleged fixation on the presidency, stating that Chamisa’s unwillingness to support his candidates and councilors in the 2023 election demonstrated a lack of commitment.

The constant infighting within CCC after Chamisa’s resignation has left the party in disarray. Cross emphasized that Chamisa’s resignation at the height of the party’s internal struggles showed a lack of leadership. For Cross, this abandonment solidified his belief that Chamisa was never suited for the position.

Since Chamisa’s resignation, CCC has struggled to find stable leadership. Welshman Ncube, who had hoped to step in, has yet to match Chamisa’s influence within the party. The void left by Chamisa’s departure has been difficult to fill, and the party continues to grapple with internal divisions.

The crisis deepened when Chamisa cited “infiltration” as the reason for his resignation, pointing to the recalls initiated by Sengezo Tshabangu, a self-proclaimed secretary-general. The move was seen as another example of Chamisa’s inability to manage internal dissent and strategic opposition politics.

Cross’s recent remarks shine a light on the broader challenges facing Zimbabwe’s opposition parties. The collapse of CCC raises questions about whether the party can regain the unity and strength that once defined the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) under Tsvangirai.

Cross’s criticism also draws attention to Chamisa’s leadership style, particularly his tendency to concentrate on personal ambition over collective success. Many inside and outside the opposition camp now question whether CCC can recover without significant reform.

Zimbabwe’s opposition landscape has always been marked by intense rivalry and fragmentation, often to the advantage of the ruling ZANU-PF. Chamisa’s rise and fall exemplify this broader pattern, with personal ambition and internal disputes weakening opposition efforts.

Cross’s commentary comes at a critical juncture for Zimbabwean politics, as the opposition struggles to maintain relevance in the face of ZANU-PF’s dominance. The road ahead for CCC remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—its future depends on finding a leader capable of rebuilding trust and unity.

The calls for stronger, more mature leadership are not new in Zimbabwean politics. However, Cross’s assessment adds weight to the argument that Chamisa’s tenure exposed deep-seated issues within the opposition movement.

As Zimbabwe gears up for its next election cycle, the opposition must confront these internal divisions head-on if it hopes to challenge ZANU-PF’s grip on power. Chamisa’s departure may have left a leadership vacuum, but it also presents an opportunity for new voices to emerge.

In retrospect, Cross believes that his initial doubts about Chamisa’s leadership were justified. Whether or not CCC can recover without Chamisa remains a question that only time—and careful strategy—can answer.

The Zim Bulletin