Tshabangu seals 2030 agenda deal

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu has told legislators aligned to his faction that he has secured a deal that would allow them to remain in Parliament beyond 2028 under a proposed government of national unity (GNU).

Tshabangu made the remarks yesterday during a caucus meeting at Parliament attended by 20 MPs and senators. His announcement comes amid growing speculation that a Zanu PF-backed plan is underway to postpone the 2028 general elections and extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term by two years.

"The party leadership reiterated the importance of constructive engagement with the government and key stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to national economic recovery and long-term development, extending beyond 2028," Tshabangu's faction said in a statement.

He emphasized that national dialogue was the only way to resolve the ongoing political crisis stemming from the disputed August 2023 elections. Former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa refused to concede defeat in that poll, citing electoral fraud - a move that opened the door for Tshabangu to take over the party and expel several MPs and councillors aligned to Chamisa.

Tshabangu's caucus reportedly agreed to support a deferral of the 2028 polls, aligning with the proposed GNU framework, which he said would help stabilise the country and "reset the democratic agenda."

He also assured his loyalists that he would champion their welfare. "Leadership is committed to engaging relevant institutions to improve working conditions and enhance MPs' ability to execute their legislative mandate," read part of the CCC-Tshabangu faction statement.

Meanwhile, a rival CCC caucus led by faction leader Jameson Timba was also held in Harare and attended by 45 MPs and senators, according to Timba, who dismissed Tshabangu's claims and leadership credentials.

"The attempt by Sengezo Tshabangu, having learned from his handlers to rig himself into the bona fide leadership of the CCC through a caucus, collapsed like a deck of cards when only 21 legislators turned up," Timba told NewsDay. "The caucus that we called was well attended, with 45 attendees and eight apologies."

The CCC currently has about 100 legislators in Parliament, reflecting a deepening split within the opposition party following Chamisa's abrupt departure earlier this year.

Tshabangu is widely seen as sympathetic to Zanu PF and has faced accusations of facilitating ruling party agendas, including the controversial recalls of opposition MPs that handed Zanu PF a temporary parliamentary advantage.

While President Mnangagwa has publicly stated that he has no interest in extending his term, reports suggest growing internal rifts within Zanu PF over the so-called "2030 agenda," with war veterans and senior figures reportedly resisting the proposal to delay elections.

Observers say the divisions within both Zanu PF and the CCC signal a turbulent political season ahead, with the possibility of a unity government being pushed as a way to manage Zimbabwe's fragile political equilibrium.