Tshabangu CCC fields alleged Zanu PF member for Ward 1 by‑election in Bulawayo

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) faction led by Sengezo Tshabangu has come under scrutiny after its candidate for the Bulawayo Ward 1 by‑election, Mduduzi Sibanda, was allegedly linked to Zanu PF through a membership card circulating on social media.


The Ward 1 by‑election is set for 3 October 2026, with Sibanda running on a CCC ticket against Zanu PF’s Mathias Tichaona Tsikira and independent candidate Shepherd Sithole.

The controversy stems from an online photograph purporting to show a Zanu PF membership card bearing Sibanda’s name. The authenticity and current status of the card could not be independently verified. If genuine, however, the claim raises questions about Sibanda’s political affiliation and the process through which he was selected as a CCC candidate.

CCC interim Treasurer‑General Mbusiso Siso has reportedly confirmed that the party is backing Sibanda, describing him as a candidate who understands Ward 1’s challenges, including illegal vending and littering.

The allegations have revived broader questions about the political identity and independence of the Tshabangu‑led CCC, which critics have previously accused of being too close to the ruling establishment — claims that remain political assertions rather than established fact.

For Ward 1 voters, the immediate issue is whether Sibanda has ever been a Zanu PF member and, if so, whether he remains affiliated. Questions have been raised about when the alleged membership was obtained, whether Sibanda resigned from Zanu PF and whether any resignation was formally recorded.

The controversy comes at a sensitive moment, with the Ward 1 by‑election expected to draw significant attention amid Zimbabwe’s wider opposition politics. Transparency is likely to be central for voters.

Sibanda and the CCC could clarify whether he has ever held Zanu PF membership and explain the circumstances surrounding the alleged card. Zanu PF could also clarify whether its records show Sibanda as a current or former member.

Until such clarification is provided, the alleged membership card remains an unverified claim, not proof of Sibanda’s current political affiliation.

The Ward 1 contest therefore presents voters with not only a choice between candidates, but also an opportunity to demand clarity about the political credentials of those seeking their support — a theme increasingly prominent in discussions around opposition fragmentation and candidate vetting.