Chamisa's lawyer jokes about Tshabangu's sickness

Sengezo Tshabangu, who has dominated Zimbabwean politics through controversial recalls of elected MPs, is once again at the centre of public debate - this time over his health. Reports indicate that the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) secretary-general was recently airlifted to India for colon cancer treatment, a development that shocked many and triggered widespread discussion.

Tshabangu rose to prominence as the shadowy figure dismantling Nelson Chamisa's influence within the CCC, engineering a wave of recalls that tilted parliamentary power and destabilised the opposition. His actions split opinion, with critics calling him a traitor and others portraying him as a shrewd strategist.

News of his illness invited varied responses, but it was the reaction of lawyer and politician Thabani Mpofu that grabbed headlines. Responding to reports of Tshabangu's cancer treatment, Mpofu mocked him with biting sarcasm, quipping: "You lie. This one can even recall colon cancer." The remark directly targeted Tshabangu's record of endless recalls, using humour as a tool of political criticism.

Mpofu's words quickly spread across social media, eliciting both laughter and outrage. Supporters hailed it as sharp political banter, while critics condemned it as insensitive during a serious health crisis.

The episode underscored how Zimbabwe's politics has grown deeply personal and combative, where even illness becomes a battleground for rivalry and ridicule. In an environment defined by recalls, power plays, and hardened allegiances, empathy remains in short supply.