A significant number of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Members of Parliament (MPs) have caused a major political stir after openly endorsing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s bid to extend his rule beyond 2028.
This unprecedented move, led by the self-styled interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu, took place during a parliamentary farm tour of Mnangagwa’s Precabe Farm in Kwekwe, Midlands province. The event, ostensibly a familiarisation tour, quickly transformed into a rally supporting Mnangagwa’s controversial “Resolution Number 1,” a Zanu PF initiative aiming to amend the constitution and allow Mnangagwa to remain in power beyond his constitutionally mandated two terms.
The tour, described by Parliament of Zimbabwe as a demonstration of political maturity, saw a sizeable contingent of CCC MPs, including prominent figures like Thokozani Khupe, Kucaca Phulu, Juliana Makuvire, Nonhlanhla Mhlotswa, Charles Moyo, Bridget Nyandoro, Samantha Mureyanj, Otillia Sibanda, Lillian Sibanda and Constance Chiota, joining Zanu PF members. Many Zanu PF loyalists wore caps emblazoned with “Resolution Number 1,” openly advocating for Mnangagwa’s continued presidency.
Sengezo Tshabangu, introduced as the leader of the opposition in parliament, was given a prominent seat at the event. His statement of support for Mnangagwa’s extended tenure was met with enthusiastic applause from Zanu PF legislators. He declared, “If our presence here improves your stay in power, and that makes the people of Zimbabwe happy, then let it be.” This statement has been widely condemned as a betrayal of the CCC’s mandate and the electorate’s trust.
Tshabangu’s rise to prominence has been meteoric and controversial. A relative unknown until late 2023, he declared himself CCC secretary-general following the elections, exploiting ambiguities within the party’s structure. He subsequently recalled numerous CCC MPs, councillors, and senators, filling the resulting vacancies with his own appointees. He even appointed himself a senator for Matabeleland North. His actions are currently the subject of a High Court challenge, with a court order prohibiting further recalls until the dispute is resolved. Despite this, a CCC faction led by Welshman Ncube suspended Tshabangu last week, pending a disciplinary hearing, for attempting to change the party’s parliamentary leadership – an action deemed a violation of the court order.
Tshabangu’s apparent eagerness to support Mnangagwa’s plan to extend parliament’s term until at least 2030, a move requiring constitutional amendments and a national referendum, is widely seen as an attempt to avoid the 2028 elections which would end his brief and controversial period of influence.
The event has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. Former CCC MP Fadzayi Mahere described the situation as “a mockery of democracy,” stating on social media, “This is no longer Parliament. It’s a crime scene… Mahumbwe chaiwo (a joke). We need new leaders.” She further condemned the event as “the biggest scandal in the history of Zimbabwean politics,” a slap in the face to the electorate. She criticised the MPs involved, stating, “They have no idea what their constitutional role is. A sheer waste of taxpayer money. In the end, we will only have one lawmaker, if we aren’t there already. They are in the guy’s pocket and it’s a shame.”
The self-exiled former Cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere called the Precabe Farm meeting “rubbish,” urging Mnangagwa to hold a referendum on the issue. He stated, “Let him call for a referendum on this rubbish. We will land in Harare and defeat this satanic arrangement. We have enough forces to defeat this nonsense. These are desperate acts of criminals who think they can hoodwink the masses of our people.” He further vowed to remove those involved, stating, “The structures from Zambezi to Limpopo are more than ready to retire these criminals before the end of 2025. We have to sack these cheats as a matter of urgency. Zimbabweans unite and send these criminals packing. Enough Is Enough.”
Opposition political activist Job Sikhala echoed this sentiment, declaring that the MPs who attended the event had aligned themselves with the oppressor. He stated, “From the day you visit Precabe Farm, pretending to be opposition must be the day you must know that we will treat you the way we treat Zanu PF. You are the enemy of the people, and you must be treated as such!!!”
The actions of Tshabangu and his faction have undoubtedly deepened the political divisions within Zimbabwe and raised serious questions about the integrity of the political process. The controversy surrounding “Resolution Number 1” and the implications for the future of Zimbabwean politics remain a focal point of national debate.
