In Zimbabwe, the main opposition group, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), is going through a major crisis. The party has split into different groups because of disagreements about who should be in charge.
Recently, a big shock came when Sengezo Tshabangu, who calls himself the Secretary-General of one group in the CCC, said Welshman Ncube is now the temporary leader. This decision got support from other well-known members like Tendai Biti and Lynette Karenyi-Kore. This move has made the struggle for power within the party even more intense.
But this claim was quickly challenged by another group in the party, which supports the former leader, Nelson Chamisa. Promise Mkhwananzi, the spokesperson for this group, said that James Timba is the one really in charge during these tough times. In a meeting, this was made clear by the Citizens National Assembly (CNA), which supports Timba.
Mkhwananzi said, “The CNA confirmed again what was decided on January 31st about who leads the party. They completely rejected the false claims by Welshman Ncube and others about the old leadership from 2019 being in charge again.” He also mentioned that Jameson Zvidzai Timba is looking after all the party’s work, without needing a temporary president or a special group of leaders.
To strengthen this position, the CNA agreed to make the team running the party’s daily business bigger by adding leaders from different parts of the party. They include:
- Hon. Agency Gumbo, who will look after legal and parliamentary matters;
- Hon. Ropafadzo Makumire, who will manage local government issues;
- Mr. Leslie Mukurazhizha, who will handle finances and fundraising;
- Mr. Mudzingwa, who will focus on issues affecting people with disabilities.
These changes show the Chamisa-supporting group’s efforts to keep the party strong and well-organized despite the ongoing disputes. The CCC was once a powerful challenger in Zimbabwe’s politics, but now it’s at a crucial point, trying to figure out its direction and identity.
This leadership fight within the CCC highlights the bigger challenges that opposition parties in Zimbabwe face, such as issues with governance, democracy, and maintaining political stability. Both sides are sticking to their positions, leaving the future uncertain. The party’s supporters and all voters in Zimbabwe are watching closely.
This situation in the CCC reminds us how complex and uncertain politics can be in Zimbabwe. The big question is whether the CCC can get past this crisis and come back together as a strong group ready to challenge the usual way things are done, or if it will break apart because of these internal disagreements. The outcome is still unclear, but for now, the struggle for control continues, as intense as ever.
The CCC’s infighting is embarrassing and demoralizing for supporters who once had high hopes for real change. If this is how they handle internal disputes, how can they claim to stand for good governance and democracy? It’s disappointing to see the CCC crumble from within. This party had the potential to bring much-needed change to Zimbabwe, but instead, it’s stuck in a power struggle that only weakens the opposition.
This internal power struggle within the CCC is a clear sign that the party lacks the unity and direction needed to effectively challenge the ruling party. How can they expect to lead a country when they can’t even manage their own leadership?
Despite the current leadership crisis, it’s encouraging to see the Chamisa-supporting group actively working to strengthen the party and ensure it remains a force in Zimbabwean politics. The CCC’s internal challenges highlight the growing pains of a young party trying to find its way. If they can overcome this crisis, they could emerge stronger and more united, ready to challenge the status quo.