CCC to launch nationwide protests starting Monday

The opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has declared its intention to launch nationwide protests starting on Monday in response to the recalls of its Members of Parliament (MPs) and councillors.

Sengezo Tshabangu, a self-proclaimed CCC member and interim secretary-general from Bulawayo, initiated the recalls of 15 opposition MPs and 17 councillors, alleging they were no longer part of the opposition movement.

The CCC has accused Zanu-PF of backing Tshabangu's actions to trigger by-elections with the aim of securing a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and potentially amending the national Constitution.

Following the August 23 and 24 elections, Zanu-PF fell short of achieving a two-thirds majority, securing 176 seats compared to CCC's 103.

Yesterday, CCC's interim spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi, announced that the party had no choice but to take to the streets, commencing in Bulawayo, where most MPs were recalled. He emphasized their readiness for peaceful protests and urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to engage with their concerns.

Last week, CCC leader Nelson Chamisa wrote to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, demanding the reinstatement of his legislators. Chamisa also announced a partial withdrawal of his MPs and councillors in protest against the recalls, giving the government a 14-day ultimatum to reinstate his officials.

The opposition claims that its members have been unfairly targeted and unjustly removed from their positions.

In Bulawayo, the protests will be carried out under the slogan "Together We Rise."

CCC's deputy spokesperson, Gift "Ostallos" Siziba, asserted that the protests would proceed without any retreat. He noted that the issue of alleged election fraud is a national concern, granting Zimbabweans the right to protest. The CCC accuses Zanu-PF of employing tactics to discredit them due to their absence at the opening of Parliament.

Additionally, the CCC has filed a case with the High Court challenging the recalls. On Tuesday, High Court judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi scheduled November 2 as the hearing date for the matter, in which the CCC seeks to overturn Mudenda's announcements of the recalls. The respondents were ordered to submit their opposing affidavits by the end of the day today, with the applicants preparing their response to the opposing affidavit by Monday.