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CCC factions gang up against Sengezo Tshabangu
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Two factions of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), one led by Jameson Timba and another by Welshman Ncube, have joined forces in a High Court case against Sengezo Tshabangu, the party's self-declared secretary general. The factions are seeking to reclaim control of the party and halt Tshabangu's recent changes to its parliamentary structure.
The legal battle stems from Tshabangu's controversial decision to reshuffle the party's representatives in Parliament. Among the changes, Tshabangu dismissed Chikanga legislator and leader of the opposition in Parliament Lynette Kore. He also replaced Edwin Mushoriwa as chief whip and altered the leadership of various parliamentary portfolio committees.
Last week, Ncube filed an urgent application in the High Court in Bulawayo to prevent Tshabangu from making further changes. The application, which cites Tshabangu as the first respondent, also seeks to stop Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda from announcing or implementing Tshabangu's decisions.
Ncube is joined in the application by the CCC party, Kore, and Mushoriwa, who argue that Tshabangu’s actions are unconstitutional and damaging to the party's stability. Their legal team is pushing for an immediate restraining order to preserve the status quo in Parliament while the matter is adjudicated.
In a significant development, the Timba-led faction of CCC successfully applied for a joinder in the case. High Court Judge Justice Neville Wamambo granted the application, allowing the Timba faction to formally participate in the proceedings. The group is represented by lawyer Agency Gumbo, who has argued for a united front to restore order in the CCC leadership and parliamentary structures.
The case highlights deep divisions within the CCC, which has been plagued by internal wrangling since Tshabangu’s self-appointment as secretary general. Both factions accuse Tshabangu of overstepping his authority and violating the party's democratic principles.
As the High Court prepares to hear arguments from all parties, the outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for the future of the CCC, Zimbabwe’s main opposition party. Observers are closely watching whether the judiciary will intervene in what has become a bitter and highly publicized leadership struggle.
The legal battle stems from Tshabangu's controversial decision to reshuffle the party's representatives in Parliament. Among the changes, Tshabangu dismissed Chikanga legislator and leader of the opposition in Parliament Lynette Kore. He also replaced Edwin Mushoriwa as chief whip and altered the leadership of various parliamentary portfolio committees.
Last week, Ncube filed an urgent application in the High Court in Bulawayo to prevent Tshabangu from making further changes. The application, which cites Tshabangu as the first respondent, also seeks to stop Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda from announcing or implementing Tshabangu's decisions.
In a significant development, the Timba-led faction of CCC successfully applied for a joinder in the case. High Court Judge Justice Neville Wamambo granted the application, allowing the Timba faction to formally participate in the proceedings. The group is represented by lawyer Agency Gumbo, who has argued for a united front to restore order in the CCC leadership and parliamentary structures.
The case highlights deep divisions within the CCC, which has been plagued by internal wrangling since Tshabangu’s self-appointment as secretary general. Both factions accuse Tshabangu of overstepping his authority and violating the party's democratic principles.
As the High Court prepares to hear arguments from all parties, the outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for the future of the CCC, Zimbabwe’s main opposition party. Observers are closely watching whether the judiciary will intervene in what has become a bitter and highly publicized leadership struggle.
Source - online
