The internal power struggle within the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) continues to escalate, with self-appointed secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu making further senior appointments, openly defying a pending High Court ruling challenging his authority.
In his latest appointments, Tshabangu has named Harare mayor Jacob Mafume as the party’s local government caucus chairperson, with Bulawayo councillor Edwin Ndlovu as his deputy and Bulawayo councillor Nyando Ndlovu as spokesperson. These appointments further solidify Tshabangu’s control over a significant portion of the party’s structure, despite the ongoing legal challenge.
The High Court case stems from Tshabangu’s earlier reshuffle of the CCC’s parliamentary representatives on the Standing Rules and Orders Committee (SROC). He removed Lynette Karenyi-Kore, Sessel Zwidzai, and Edwin Mushoriwa, replacing them with his own appointees. Ncube, along with the removed members, launched the court application, arguing that Tshabangu’s actions were unlawful and violated the party’s constitution.
During Monday’s hearing, Method Ndlovu, representing Ncube and the CCC, argued that Tshabangu’s actions were unconstitutional. “He cannot just wake up and pen a letter and the speaker acts. What he did leads to the violation of the constitution. The speaker simply endorsed but he does not involve himself in the political affairs of a political party. There are several letters which were written by the applicant, but they were ignored but he was so quick to act on the letter which was written by the second respondent,” Ndlovu stated.
Tshabangu’s lawyers, Lewis Uriri and Nqobani Sithole, countered that the High Court lacked jurisdiction, arguing the matter was moot as the changes had already been implemented. Uriri submitted: “The significance of the mootness was never lost. They became aware of their problem on December 16, but they already knew that parliament had accepted that there would be changes. The juristic act had already taken place. All the speaker does is that I have to inform them that these changes have been made. They want to interrupt changes which have been made. What is the nature of the matter before the court? The application is not properly before the court; it is a constitutional question. Only the Constitutional Court can determine if Parliament has failed its constitutional mandate.”
The applicants are also challenging the appointment of Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa as the CCC’s overall chief whip, arguing that the position is not recognised under section 151(2) of the constitution. They further seek to prevent Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda from formally announcing these changes in parliament.
Ncube contends that Tshabangu’s actions contravene internal party procedures and warrant disciplinary action. He also alleges collusion between Tshabangu and the Speaker, describing it as “embarrassing.” Furthermore, Ncube views the redeployments as recalls, arguing that Tshabangu is exceeding his authority and undermining the party’s hierarchy by appointing himself leader of the opposition in parliament.
Tshabangu’s rise to prominence began after the August 2023 general elections when he declared himself interim secretary-general, capitalising on the party’s then-lack of formal structures.
His subsequent actions, including the recall of numerous CCC MPs loyal to former leader Nelson Chamisa, have been met with accusations of collaboration with the ruling Zanu PF government and the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), aimed at destabilising the opposition. Zanu PF gained significantly in the subsequent by-elections, a period which also saw Tshabangu appoint himself as a senator for Matabeleland North.
