Tshabangu pushes to scrap by-elections

Self-styled Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu has called for the suspension of parliamentary by-elections between general elections, proposing constitutional changes that would allow political parties to fill vacant seats without returning to the electorate.

Tshabangu made the proposal during Wednesday's third reading debate on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (No. 3) in the Senate, where the controversial legislation passed with 75 votes in favour and four against.

His intervention came as the majority of senators occupying seats won by the CCC in the 2023 elections voted alongside Zanu-PF to support the Bill.

Addressing the Senate, Tshabangu argued that by-elections had become costly, divisive and prone to political violence.

He proposed the insertion of a transitional constitutional provision under which political parties would nominate replacements whenever one of their parliamentary seats becomes vacant.

"When a parliamentary seat falls vacant, the party that held the seat nominates the replacement candidate — no election, no division," Tshabangu said.

For constituencies previously won by independent candidates, he suggested that the runner-up in the preceding election should automatically assume office, with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) gazetting the replacement within 21 days.

"We want to return to the Government of National Unity (GNU) of 2008," he said.

"Allow me to say we are serious about reducing the toxicity and cost of national elections. We must deal with mid-term by-elections."

Tshabangu cited the 2008 Global Political Agreement (GPA), under which Constitutional Amendment No. 19 suspended by-elections during the transitional period, with political parties replacing legislators who vacated office.

"Balance was preserved, millions were saved, national toxicity dropped and governance continued," he said.

"That same spirit must guide the Constitutional Amendment Bill (No. 3)."

He argued that eliminating mid-term by-elections would reduce public expenditure while preserving the electoral mandate already granted to political parties.

The proposal formed part of a broader address in which Tshabangu also advocated automatic voter registration linked to the issuance of national identity documents, constitutional guarantees for devolution through the allocation of at least 15% of national revenue to provinces, and mechanisms to address the legacy of the Gukurahundi atrocities.

He also opposed calls for the constitutional amendment to be subjected to a national referendum, arguing that Zimbabwe should avoid repeating what he described as the missed opportunities arising from the rejection of the draft constitution in the 2000 referendum.

Tshabangu supported provisions contained in CAB3 that would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term of office by two years, with corresponding extensions for Members of Parliament, senators and local authority councillors.

"This clause is fiscally prudent. It is stability and respect for the mandate already given," he said.

"It sweeps away toxicity and electioneering so that we can focus on clinics, schools, jobs and Vision 2030."

The Senate vote highlighted the continued influence Tshabangu has exercised over Parliament since declaring himself CCC interim secretary-general in October 2023.

Following that declaration, he initiated the recall of more than 30 opposition MPs and senators, as well as over 100 councillors, arguing they had ceased to be members of the CCC.

The recalls were challenged in court by the then CCC leadership under Nelson Chamisa, which argued that Tshabangu held no constitutional authority within the party.

However, the High Court dismissed the application after finding that the applicants had failed to produce documentary evidence establishing that Tshabangu could not hold the office he claimed.

He was subsequently sworn in as a proportional representation senator for Matabeleland North in March 2024 and was later appointed Leader of the Opposition in Parliament by Speaker Jacob Mudenda.

CCC politicians who were recalled have consistently accused Tshabangu of acting in concert with Zanu-PF to weaken the opposition, allegations he has repeatedly denied.

With CAB3 now passed by the Senate, it returns to the National Assembly for consideration of amendments before being transmitted to President Mnangagwa for assent.

Tshabangu's proposal to abolish mid-term by-elections would require further constitutional and legislative changes before it could take effect.