The Zimbabwe High Court yesterday heard arguments in a case challenging the recall of 15 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members of parliament.
Justice Mutevedzi heard claims from the legislators that an individual named Sengezo Tshabangu had improperly revoked their parliamentary seats. He reserved the judgment.
Tshabangu argues he is the interim secretary-general of CCC, but the MPs insist he has no affiliation with the party. They maintain he is attempting to intervene in the party’s internal processes. The legislators presented evidence that Tshabangu did not hold any official role, so his letter removing them lacked valid authority. Their lawyer, Amanda Ndlovu, argued Tshabangu failed to demonstrate the source of his purported powers over the CCC.
On the other side, Tshabangu’s advocate Lewis Uriri suggested the court had no jurisdiction and the case should be heard in the constitutional court instead. However, human rights counsel Alec Muchadehama objected to the national assembly speaker’s intervention in the dispute, saying Jacob Mudenda improperly announced the expulsions without confirmation from parliament itself.
Justice Mutevedzi heard passionate arguments on both sides. The judge dismissed an application by media organizations to broadcast the proceedings, noting it was not sufficiently urgent. A ruling is still pending on whether the legislators’ challenge against Tshabangu will succeed in reinstating their parliamentary seats. The political maneuvering continues amid democratic tensions in Zimbabwe.
