‘I have never worked for Zanu PF!’ – Biti

Zimbabwean veteran opposition politician and lawyer Tendai Biti today denied accusations of orchestrating a destabilizing campaign within the party.

In a statement, Biti refutes these allegations, presenting them as baseless and malicious attempts to tarnish his reputation.

“It is therefore shocking to hear, and read, a daily stream of abusive, malicious, and defamatory claims that Professor Welshman Ncube and I are colluding with the regime and its proxies to append a struggle that has occupied and consumed all our adult lives,” said Biti in the statement.

The allegations center around Biti’s purported involvement with a shadowy figure named Tshabangu, who falsely claims the position of the secretary-general of CCC, allegedly causing internal strife.

In response to these claims, Biti has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, expressing his dismay at the divisive allegations, categorically rejecting any collaboration with the ruling regime.

“I have been imprisoned and tortured for the change we all seek, and I have stood firm. I have never worked for Zanu PF, and I will die before I lend my hand to the illegitimate Zanu PF regime,” said Biti.

He emphasized his commitment to the democratic struggle that has consumed much of his adult life, enduring imprisonment and physical attacks in the fight against the Zanu PF regime.

The controversial recalls of elected public representatives, including Biti himself in 2015 and 2021, have been cited as evidence of a broader strategy to undermine the opposition.

“I do not believe in recalls. I have never been part of recalls. I will never be part of recalls,” declared Biti, highlighting the personal and familial toll recalls have taken on him.

His denial extends to the purported association with Tshabangu, whose actions, according to Biti, are a distraction from the primary objective — freeing Zimbabwe from the clutches of what he terms a “rapacious dictatorship.”

Biti further defended his democratic principles, expressing reservations about the political processes that led to his sidelining within the party.

Despite these reservations, he underscored his unwavering commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law, transparency, openness, and collective leadership. He asserted that, despite internal party disputes, aligning with Zanu PF is not an option.

The seasoned politician, who has retreated to his law practice and international engagements, urged fellow Zimbabweans not to be swayed by the distractions orchestrated by the regime and its proxies. According to the statement, Biti remains optimistic about the trajectory of the struggle, asserting, “Victory is closer than the distance back to where we started.”

As Zimbabwe navigates through this critical period, the veracity of the allegations against Biti and the internal strife within the CCC add a layer of uncertainty to the country’s political future. The unfolding events will undoubtedly shape the course of Zimbabwean politics in the days to come.