CCC crisis deepens as Tshabangu names officials au...

CCC crisis deepens as Tshabangu names officials authorised to sign party’s nomination papers

Zim Now Writer

As the crisis in the Nelson Chamisa-led Citizens Coalition for Change seems to be deepening, Sengezo Tshabangu has since written to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission notifying the national elections body of officials authorised to sign CCC candidate nomination papers for by-elections set for December 9.

This comes as President Emmerson Mnangagwa has proclaimed December 9 as the date of by-elections while fixing November 7 as the date when the Nomination Court will sit.

The by-elections were occasioned by the recall of 15 elected CCC legislators by Tshabangu, who claims to be the party’s interim secretary general, arguing the 15 had ceased to be CCC members.

The letter, which was copied to CCC leader Nelson Chamisa and the party’s NEC, reads in part: “Pursuant to Statutory Instrument 188 of 2023 proclaiming by-elections to be held on 9 December 2023 and fixing 7 November, 2023 as the date on which the Nomination Court shall sit, I write in terms of Section 46(1)© and (2) of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13), to submit the designated officials of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) who are authorized to countersign the nomination papers of our party’s approved candidates, and these are:

1. Sengezo Tshabangu

2. Mbuso Siso

3. Jabulani Ncube.”

The letter adds that no other individual is authorized to countersign the nomination papers. “In this regard, may I also emphasise that no other person or individual is authorized to countersign the nomination papers of any of our party’s approved candidates for the said elections,” the letter further reads.

In an interview with Zim Now today, Tshabangu confirmed that indeed the letter originated from his office.

“Yes, that letter came from my office,” Tshabangu said.

Tshabangu recently wrote to Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, recalling 15 National Assembly members, with the latter writing to ZEC and President Mnangagwa, informing them of vacancies in the constituencies represented by the 15.

Nine senators and 17 councillors have also been recalled. The 15 MPs have appealed against the recalls, a decision which Tshabangu has since appealed against.