News / National
Tshabangu survives ouster in CCC power struggle
9 hrs ago | Views
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) self-imposed interim secretary-general, Sengezo Tshabangu, has survived suspension and dismissal despite facing allegations of bringing the opposition party into disrepute.
Tshabangu was summoned to a disciplinary hearing by a faction of the CCC led by Welshman Ncube after making unilateral changes in Parliament that resulted in the demotion of legislators aligned with the constitutional lawyer. The hearing took place on Wednesday.
"Sengezo Tshabangu was charged with violating the CCC constitution by breaching party rules and regulations," party spokesperson Willias Madzimure said in a statement.
"The national disciplinary committee, after hearing submissions from the arbiter general and witnesses for the applicant, as well as from Senator Sengezo Tshabangu's legal representative, Advocate Kucaca Phulu, judgment was reserved."
Tshabangu had initially indicated to NewsDay that he would not attend the hearing, citing the ongoing legal battles between him and Ncube. However, he later reversed his stance and attended the proceedings.
In addition to constitutional violations, Tshabangu was also charged with disrespecting the office of the party leader and its organs through making "derogatory remarks in the public media."
Tshabangu dismissed the disciplinary hearing as a "non-event," arguing that the arbiter general presiding over the case was a "well-known personal friend of Ncube." He further threatened to use the party's parliamentary caucus and local government caucus, both comprising his appointees, to take action against Ncube.
The Ncube-led faction had warned Tshabangu that failure to appear at the hearing would result in a default judgment being issued against him.
Tshabangu controversially wrested control of the CCC from its founding leader, Nelson Chamisa, and initiated the recall of party legislators from Parliament. The follow-up by-elections to fill the resulting vacancies saw the ruling ZANU PF party securing a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
The internal turmoil within CCC continues to deepen, with legal and political battles further complicating the party's future trajectory.
Tshabangu was summoned to a disciplinary hearing by a faction of the CCC led by Welshman Ncube after making unilateral changes in Parliament that resulted in the demotion of legislators aligned with the constitutional lawyer. The hearing took place on Wednesday.
"Sengezo Tshabangu was charged with violating the CCC constitution by breaching party rules and regulations," party spokesperson Willias Madzimure said in a statement.
"The national disciplinary committee, after hearing submissions from the arbiter general and witnesses for the applicant, as well as from Senator Sengezo Tshabangu's legal representative, Advocate Kucaca Phulu, judgment was reserved."
Tshabangu had initially indicated to NewsDay that he would not attend the hearing, citing the ongoing legal battles between him and Ncube. However, he later reversed his stance and attended the proceedings.
Tshabangu dismissed the disciplinary hearing as a "non-event," arguing that the arbiter general presiding over the case was a "well-known personal friend of Ncube." He further threatened to use the party's parliamentary caucus and local government caucus, both comprising his appointees, to take action against Ncube.
The Ncube-led faction had warned Tshabangu that failure to appear at the hearing would result in a default judgment being issued against him.
Tshabangu controversially wrested control of the CCC from its founding leader, Nelson Chamisa, and initiated the recall of party legislators from Parliament. The follow-up by-elections to fill the resulting vacancies saw the ruling ZANU PF party securing a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
The internal turmoil within CCC continues to deepen, with legal and political battles further complicating the party's future trajectory.
Source - newsday
