Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Members of Parliament (MPs), Gift Ostallos Siziba and Amos Chibaya, along with a group of MPs and councillors who were recently ousted on the orders of Sengezo Tshabangu, will not be able to participate in the upcoming elections on February 3. This ruling was made by High Court judge Pisirai Kwenda on Friday, stating that they cannot contest under the same party that recalled them.
Siziba and Chibaya, who were elected in the August 23 elections last year, were recalled by self-proclaimed interim secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu, who claimed they were no longer members of the main opposition party.
However, the MPs defiantly filed for nomination under the same party, arguing that Tshabangu did not have the authority to issue directives on behalf of the party.
In a court challenge seeking their removal from the ballot, Tshabangu argued that the ousted MPs and councillors had illegally submitted nomination papers under a party that had already recalled them.
Justice Kwenda upheld Tshabangu’s argument and ruled in his favour, leading to the disqualification of Siziba, Chibaya, and others from the upcoming elections.
The ruling represents another setback for the Nelson Chamisa-led party, which is currently facing its most challenging period since the August 2023 elections.
The court’s decision adds to the political turmoil surrounding CCC, raising questions about the party’s unity and the upcoming elections. It remains to be seen how the party will navigate this setback and determine its course of action moving forward.
