Tshabangu allegedly approached Ibhetshu Likazulu to front 2030 court challenge

BULAWAYO - Self-imposed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu is alleged to have approached Ibhetshu Likazulu secretary general Mbuso Fuzwayo to front a Constitutional Court challenge against ZANU-PF's 2030 agenda, which seeks to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's tenure.

The revelation was made by investigative journalist Hopewell Chin'ono in a post on social media platform X. Chin'ono stated that he had spoken directly to Fuzwayo, who confirmed that he was approached by Tshabangu's lawyer, Nqobani Sithole, to lead the constitutional application.

According to Chin'ono, Fuzwayo said he was initially unaware of the deeper political motives behind the move. He was informed that the application was still being finalised and would later be presented to him for signature on behalf of himself and Ibhetshu Likazulu.

However, Fuzwayo has since distanced himself from the initiative, stating that he will not be signing the application. He reportedly became aware that the case was designed to be dismissed by the courts, thereby creating a legal precedent that would legitimise the extension of Mnangagwa's presidency to 2030.

Chin'ono argued that this revelation adds weight to growing concerns that the judiciary is being used not to deliver justice, but to manufacture legality for political ambitions. He warned that after losing the public debate on the 2030 agenda, its proponents are now turning to the courts to secure a ruling that, while unconstitutional, would carry the appearance of legality.

He likened the strategy to previous instances where the judiciary was allegedly manipulated to produce outcomes that served political ends. Chin'ono described it as a dangerous trend that undermines public trust in the courts and transforms them into instruments of political expediency rather than guardians of the constitution.