NewzBy Correspondent ZIMBABWEAN opposition activist, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has concluded a series of marathon consultation meetings in the United Kingdom that attracted diplomats, academics, professionals, civil society representatives and members of the Zimbabwean diaspora, in what supporters described as an important step in engaging Zimbabweans on the country’s political future. The consultation process began in London with a number of round-table and closed discussions involving diplomats, scholars, professors, political stakeholders and UK think tanks. The meetings were designed to provide an open platform for participants to exchange views on Zimbabwe’s current political, economic and constitutional challenges.
Among those organising and attending were respected members of the Zimbabwean community, including renowned UK barristers Chengetai Innocent Mupara, Brighton Mutebuka, Chenayi Mutambasere, Patricia Chinyoka, John Burke of Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO), Panyika Karimanzira of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR), Patrick Cheza, Sanderson Makombe, Model Pamire, Izwi Muyambi, Reverend Chisvo, Thomas Machingauta, former MDC UK executive members, including the former Vice Chair Fiona Madanhi, together with observers from various organisations and news outlets such as Change Radio, ZimEye, BBC among others. The London engagements were followed by a larger consultation meeting in Manchester, where long-standing political activists, professionals, community leaders and first-time participants gathered to discuss the future direction of Zimbabwe. Participants raised a wide range of questions covering Chamisa’s decision to step away from active frontline politics, his previously stated intention to return within 180 days, the political vacuum many attendees believe emerged following divisions within the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), and what they described as infiltration of the opposition.
Those views reflected the opinions expressed by participants during the consultations. Chamisa spent several hours responding to questions, addressing concerns ranging from constitutional reforms and governance to allegations circulated on social media regarding financial matters. During one exchange, he firmly rejected allegations that he had accepted bribes, adding a light-hearted remark that if anyone receives benefits from Zanu PF, “they will never …
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