News / National
Tshabangu expelled from CCC
20 Feb 2025 at 05:08hrs | Views
The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has expelled self-imposed secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu, deepening the party's internal turmoil.
Tshabangu's ouster was announced by the CCC faction led by Welshman Ncube after he was found guilty of various charges, including disrespecting the office of the party leader. The decision marks the culmination of a prolonged feud between Tshabangu and Ncube, which has spanned over a year and even led to court battles.
The disciplinary hearing, which Tshabangu attended under protest last week, resulted in a guilty verdict on four counts of misconduct.
"In or about November 2024 and December 2024, you made or purported to make changes of CCC parliamentary portfolio holders without the authority of the president or any organ of the party," CCC spokesperson Wilias Madzimure stated.
Following the conviction, the party moved swiftly to enforce the expulsion. "Having found Sengezo Tshabangu guilty of all the charges and having regard to the gravity of the acts of misconduct for which the committee convicted him, the committee decided to sentence him to expulsion from the party with immediate effect," Madzimure added.
The CCC has been plagued by deep divisions since Nelson Chamisa's resignation as party leader in January. Tshabangu had previously triggered controversy by recalling dozens of party legislators and councillors, paving the way for Ncube's rise to leadership.
Reacting to the expulsion, Tshabangu's spokesperson, Nqobizitha Mlilo, dismissed the move, claiming it was legally flawed.
"This is a rather strange process," Mlilo told NewsDay. "Any disciplinary hearing where a charged party is found guilty must follow due process, including the opportunity for mitigation and sentence aggravation. This decision lacks legitimacy."
He further dismissed Madzimure's statement as "not worth a yawn," adding that Tshabangu had more pressing matters than engaging in "marbles with argumentative busy bodies."
The expulsion is expected to further widen cracks within the CCC as factional battles continue to shape the opposition's political future.
Tshabangu's ouster was announced by the CCC faction led by Welshman Ncube after he was found guilty of various charges, including disrespecting the office of the party leader. The decision marks the culmination of a prolonged feud between Tshabangu and Ncube, which has spanned over a year and even led to court battles.
The disciplinary hearing, which Tshabangu attended under protest last week, resulted in a guilty verdict on four counts of misconduct.
"In or about November 2024 and December 2024, you made or purported to make changes of CCC parliamentary portfolio holders without the authority of the president or any organ of the party," CCC spokesperson Wilias Madzimure stated.
Following the conviction, the party moved swiftly to enforce the expulsion. "Having found Sengezo Tshabangu guilty of all the charges and having regard to the gravity of the acts of misconduct for which the committee convicted him, the committee decided to sentence him to expulsion from the party with immediate effect," Madzimure added.
The CCC has been plagued by deep divisions since Nelson Chamisa's resignation as party leader in January. Tshabangu had previously triggered controversy by recalling dozens of party legislators and councillors, paving the way for Ncube's rise to leadership.
Reacting to the expulsion, Tshabangu's spokesperson, Nqobizitha Mlilo, dismissed the move, claiming it was legally flawed.
"This is a rather strange process," Mlilo told NewsDay. "Any disciplinary hearing where a charged party is found guilty must follow due process, including the opportunity for mitigation and sentence aggravation. This decision lacks legitimacy."
He further dismissed Madzimure's statement as "not worth a yawn," adding that Tshabangu had more pressing matters than engaging in "marbles with argumentative busy bodies."
The expulsion is expected to further widen cracks within the CCC as factional battles continue to shape the opposition's political future.
Source - newsday
