CCC secretary-general faces disciplinary hearing after controversial senatorial nominations
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has found itself embroiled in internal turmoil following a dispute over senatorial nominations. Sengezo Tshabangu, the self-imposed interim secretary-general of the CCC, is set to face a disciplinary hearing after submitting a different list of candidates for senatorial seats than what had been agreed upon by the party’s leadership.
Last week, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) published a list of nominations to fill proportional representative vacancies in the Senate. However, it appears that Tshabangu deviated from the agreed-upon list, prompting objections from his allies within the party.
Albert Mhlanga, a former Member of Parliament and ally of Tshabangu, expressed disappointment over the unilateral decision. He revealed that Tshabangu had created a list without consulting the party’s committee, contradicting their previously agreed-upon nominations. Mhlanga emphasized that Tshabangu would be held accountable for his actions.
The disagreement stems from Tshabangu’s inclusion on the nomination list for Matabeleland North, his home province. Party leaders had agreed that Tshabangu should not be on the list to avoid any perception of self-interest. Mhlanga accused Tshabangu of manipulating the situation to secure a senatorial seat for himself.
Dingilizwe Tshuma, the interim chairperson of the CCC, disavowed the list submitted by Tshabangu to Zec, asserting that Tshabangu had nominated himself without the knowledge or consent of the party’s leadership. In a letter to Zec, the CCC stated that the nomination list submitted by Tshabangu had been recalled by the party.
The published list by Zec included Tshabangu’s name for Matabeleland North, along with Teresa Kabodo and Grace Mumpande. In Bulawayo, Lillian Mlilo, former Member of Parliament Kucaca Phulu, Linda Sibanda, and Collet Ndhlovu were nominated for senatorial seats.
Tshabangu’s actions have caused further division within the CCC, with factions vying for control. The party has been in disarray since Tshabangu declared himself the interim secretary-general and initiated recalls of lawmakers and councillors, leading to by-elections that ultimately strengthened the ruling Zanu PF party.
Nelson Chamisa, the former leader of the CCC, recently distanced himself from the party, citing infiltration by Zanu PF and accusing it of becoming an appendage of the ruling party.
As CCC struggles to find a new leader following Chamisa’s departure, factionalism continues to plague the party. Experts predict that the divisions will deepen as the government begins to allocate financial support to political parties based on the seats won in the August 23 harmonized elections.
The disciplinary hearing against Tshabangu will shed light on the internal dynamics and power struggles within the CCC. The outcome of the hearing will have significant implications for the party’s future direction and unity.
