How President Mnangagwa and VP Chiwenga saved seriously ill Sengenzo Tshabangu from dying

Harare – Sengezo Tshabangu, the embattled Secretary General of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has revealed a remarkable story of support and intervention from the highest levels of the Zimbabwean government during a recent critical health crisis.

While representing Zimbabwe at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in Geneva, Tshabangu fell gravely ill, requiring intensive care for a week. His ordeal, however, took an unexpected turn with personal calls of support and assurance from President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.

Tshabangu’s illness began abruptly after his arrival in Geneva on 11 October 2024.

“On arrival in Geneva on 11th October 2024, I fell ill. I was taken to the Geneva medical centre, then transferred to a bigger hospital. I was helped by our colleagues around four o’clock Geneva time, but I was taken around seven o’clock in the evening because I could no longer take it. I was dizzy and was taken to a medical centre, where I received medical attention and was put in ICU. I remained in ICU for about a week,” he recounted his experience to Parliament on Wednesday.

During his hospitalisation, Tshabangu received two pivotal phone calls. The first came from Vice President Chiwenga, who offered reassurance and support.

“The most important thing that happened in that hospital, Mr. President, was a call from the Deputy President of this country, Mr. Chiwenga, who called me lying in that hospital and assured me that this Government would do everything they could to bring me back home,” Tshabangu shared.

This call was followed by a call from President Mnangagwa himself, who encouraged Tshabangu to remain strong. “The following day, the Head of State called me and assured me that all shall be well,” Tshabangu added.

Tshabangu expressed profound gratitude for the support he received, emphasizing that the assistance extended to him transcended political divides.

“I am a member and the leader of the opposition in Parliament, but I went out representing the country. The Head of State and his Deputy showed that as a Zimbabwean, I deserve the same care as anyone else, whether you are from ZANU PF or CCC, but we are Zimbabweans,” he stated.

He specifically acknowledged the timely payment of his medical bills and the overall care provided by both the government and Parliament.

“My bills were paid on time, I was taken care of by this Government and Parliament, and I am so grateful. It could have been worse, Mr. President, imagine staying in a foreign-developed hospital in intensive care for a week—my situation was dire,” he stressed.

He further extended his appreciation to parliamentarians across the political spectrum for their expressions of sympathy and support.

Despite this personal display of cross-party support, Tshabangu’s political career remains fraught with internal conflict within the CCC. He has been at the centre of a bitter power struggle, facing criticism for his role in the recall of several opposition figures. These actions, which he justified as necessary to remove illegitimate individuals from positions of power, have been accused of playing into the hands of ZANU-PF. This internal strife culminated in the resignation of party president Nelson Chamisa.

The current political turmoil within the CCC is further complicated by a dispute over the allocation of US$22 million in funding under the Political Parties (Finance) Act. Three factions, led by Jameson Timba, Tshabangu, and Welshman Ncube, are locked in a battle over the distribution of these funds, leading to salary arrears for party employees and exacerbating the existing tensions.