Self-imposed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) secretary-general and “Leader of the Opposition” in Parliament Sengezo Tshabangu used Wednesday’s Senate debate on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) to propose scrapping parliamentary by-elections between general elections, arguing that vacant seats should instead be filled by political parties.
Tshabangu made the proposal during the Bill’s third reading, shortly before the Senate overwhelmingly approved the constitutional amendment by 75 votes to four, with one abstention.
The Bill now awaits President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s signature before becoming law.
Addressing senators, Tshabangu argued that by-elections had become costly, divisive and violent.
“By-elections have become a flashpoint of violence, division and a waste of public funds,” he said.
He proposed inserting a transitional constitutional provision under which any parliamentary vacancy would automatically be filled by a nominee from the political party that originally won the seat, eliminating the need for a fresh election.
For seats previously won by independent candidates, Tshabangu suggested the runner-up from the preceding election should automatically assume office, with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission required to gazette the replacement within 21 days.
“We want to return to the Government of National Unity (GNU) of 2008,” Tshabangu told the Senate.
He argued that the arrangement would mirror provisions adopted under the 2008 Global Political Agreement, when Constitutional Amendment No. 19 suspended by-elections during the transitional government in favour of party-appointed replacements.
“Balance was preserved, millions were saved, national toxicity dropped and governance continued,” he said.
Tshabangu said such a system would reduce election costs while preserving the mandate voters had already given political parties.
His proposal formed part of a broader speech in which he also backed automatic voter registration linked to the issuance of national identity documents, called for at least 15 percent of national revenue to be devolved to provinces and advocated a constitutional mechanism to address Gukurahundi-era reconciliation.
He also defended CAB3, including provisions extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office by two years and similarly extending the terms of Members of Parliament, senators and councillors.
“This clause is fiscally prudent. It is stability and respect for the mandate already given. It sweeps away toxicity and electioneering so that we can focus on clinics, schools, jobs and Vision 2030,” Tshabangu said.
The Senate ultimately passed the Bill with support from the overwhelming majority of senators occupying CCC benches.
Only four opposition senators voted against the legislation: Sesel Zvidzai, Solani Moyo, Meliwe Phuthi and Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa.
Tshabangu’s influence over Parliament stems from his dramatic takeover of the CCC’s parliamentary structures following the 2023 general election.
After declaring himself the party’s interim secretary-general in October 2023, he initiated the recall of more than 30 CCC MPs and senators, arguing they had ceased to be party members.
Court rulings upheld his authority after the CCC was unable to produce documentary evidence showing he lacked the position he claimed within a party that deliberately operated without a formal constitution or membership register.
The recalls triggered numerous by-elections, most of which were won by Zanu PF, while Tshabangu also filled proportional representation vacancies with politicians aligned to his faction.
He was sworn in as a proportional representation senator in March 2024 and later appointed Leader of the Opposition in Parliament by Speaker Jacob Mudenda.
CCC officials loyal to former party leader Nelson Chamisa have consistently accused Tshabangu of acting in concert with Zanu PF to weaken the opposition, allegations he has repeatedly denied.
Wednesday’s vote illustrated the political realignment that has followed those recalls, with senators elected under the CCC banner largely voting alongside the ruling party to pass one of Zimbabwe’s most consequential constitutional amendments.
Critics fear Tshabangu’s proposal to abolish by-elections would further entrench party control over parliamentary vacancies and eliminate one of the few remaining opportunities for voters to alter Parliament’s composition between general elections.
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