Interim leadership structure established by Sengezo Tshabangu’s CCC faction, preparing for national congress
Self-imposed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu has taken steps to form an interim leadership structure within his faction, as preparations for the party’s national congress gain momentum. Tshabangu made this announcement during a rally held in the Tshabalala-Pelandaba constituency, where he aimed to rally support for Moreblessing Tembo, his candidate in an upcoming by-election.
The newly appointed individuals in key leadership roles include Mbuso Siso as national treasurer, Albert Mhlanga as deputy national chairperson, Sikhululekile Moyo as women assembly chairperson, and Nomvula Mguni as national director for elections.
Mhlanga emphasized that this interim structure was instrumental in granting Tshabangu the power to carry out recalls and played a similar role in the selection of their party president, Nelson Chamisa. Mhlanga stressed that their party’s reach extended beyond Matabeleland, despite being primarily stationed there, and that they functioned as a national structure.
“This is the structure that gave Tshabangu the power to make recalls, this is how our president Nelson Chamisa was chosen. There is no tribalism in this. We are just stationed in Matabeleland, but we are a national structure,” Mhlanga told Southern Eye.
“I communicate with those in Mashonaland East, West and other provinces and we are currently inviting people for a congress where a substantive leadership will be elected. At the moment we, including the president, were not given the mandate to lead by the people.”
Speaking on the claims that his faction imposed Tembo, an activist in the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC Alliance, Tshabangu’s national deputy chairperson Mhlanga said those making such claims were ignorant of how the CCC was formed.
“It’s called the all stakeholders party where all sections of society are involved regardless of where they are coming from,” Mhlanga said.
He also dismissed claims that Tshabangu wanted to be president of the party, adding that their sole leader was Chamisa.
“There is no faction for Tshabangu or Chamisa. Even Tshabangu has said that he does not want to be a president. Our president is Chamisa and we are preparing for congress so that if possible he gets officially-elected and get a mandate of the people to lead,” he said.
CCC Bulawayo spokesperson Swithern Chirowodza accused Tshabangu of imposing Tembo as a candidate.
