CCC leadership row escalates amid disbursement of US$1.5m govt funding

Barely a week after the government announced plans to disburse more than US$1.5 million to the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) under the Political Parties Finance Act, the party is embroiled in a deepening leadership crisis, with rival factions vying for control of the party.

The latest development saw self-proclaimed Secretary-General Sengezo Tshabangu announce the dismissal of interim leader Welshman Ncube.

Tshabangu who recalled dozens of party officials from Parliament and local government through the help of the state after elections last year, has claimed to be the only substantive leader of the party since January 2022.

CCC spokesperson Willias Madzimure dismissed Tshabangu’s latest actions, describing them as “self-serving propaganda” and questioned his legal status as an official.

“The leadership assures the members of the party and the public that the Party leadership is firmly in control of the party and all its organs and that any notion that the leadership is no longer in existence is false, flawed and self serving propaganda designed to sow despondency among party members,” Madzimure stated.

“There can be no truth in the notion that Sengezo Tshabangu is the only official of the Party remaining in office.

“The premise of the opinion that Sengezo Tshabangu was appointed by the meeting of the National Council of 22 January 2022 to the position of Interim Secretary General is patently and self evidently false.

“The Party leadership challenges the authors, if they in fact exist, of that opinion to produce the resolution of the National Council that made the purported appointment.

“The Party leadership further challenges the authors of the opinion to produce any evidence of whatever description and nature from the period 22 January 2022 to the period of the start of the recalls of elected Party officials which published or indicated that Sengezo Tshabangu was the interim Secretary General of the party during that period or to produce any evidence that he performed at any level any function of the office of Secretary General during that period.”

Nelson Chamisa, the founding leader of CCC resigned in January this year citing infiltration and capture of the party by the state through the assistance of Tshabangu.

CCC’s leadership problems are likely to be worsened by the release of the government money which many believe will be given to Tshabangu as a token of appreciation for weakening the opposition party through recalls which allowed Zanu-PF to increase their majority in Parliament.