HARARE – The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) is considering the possibility of withdrawing its Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators from the Zimbabwean parliament after 15 lawmakers were recalled.
The recalls have been the source of significant controversy.
Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda notified the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of the vacant seats based on a letter from Sengezo Tshabangu, who has presented himself as the CCC’s interim secretary-general.
Tshabangu claimed that the 15 lawmakers, 14 of whom are from Bulawayo and the two Matabeleland provinces, are no longer members of the CCC and therefore were recalled.
However, the affected MPs have gone to court seeking an order that declares Tshabangu’s recall invalid. The CCC has labeled him an “impostor.”
Prince Dubeko Sibanda, one of the recalled MPs, expressed frustration, saying, “Today, they recalled us again. It’s time for a revolution.”
CCC leader Nelson Chamisa is reportedly considering withdrawing all his party’s elected representatives in protest against these developments.
This move may lead to calls for street protests, although Chamisa has expressed reluctance, citing concerns over potential violence.
Chamisa had written to Speaker Mudenda, urging him to disregard Tshabangu’s letter, emphasizing that none of the MPs elected under the CCC had been expelled from the party or recalled from their positions.
Tshabangu has also written to the local government minister, naming 17 councillors who, he claims, are no longer members of the CCC. This includes 12 councillors from Bulawayo and others from different regions.
The CCC, which currently lacks a formal membership structure, is facing internal challenges due to this situation.
If Tshabangu’s claims are upheld in court, he could potentially expel Chamisa from the party and access funding designated for political parties under the Political Parties (Finances) Act.
These recalls have been described as “a festival of illegalities and a carnival of absurdities” by political analyst Brian Kagoro.
Critics argue that fresh elections supervised by the United Nations are needed to address the ongoing political turmoil in Zimbabwe.
