A Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) faction linked to self-imposed secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu is boasting that the proposed extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term is a done deal and is now pushing for elections to be banned for 10 years.
Zanu PF last month passed a resolution instructing the government to start the process to extend Mnangagwa’s term to 2030 after the party agreed to the proposal at its 2024 conference.
Sources told The Standard that the real game plan by a Zanu PF faction seeking to block Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was to suspend elections until 2035 and it is banking on Tshabangu’s faction for support in Parliament.
Tshabangu's close allies described the 2030 term-extension plan as guaranteed, saying the country should now wait for elections in 2035 under a transitional government.
“2030 is already a done deal,” said a source close to the controversial politician.
“The focus now is on 2035, when the next elections are expected under the transitional government.
“Elections have proved that they don't work."
Tshabangu’s spokesperson, Nqobizitha Mlilo, could not be reached for comment yesterday.
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The latest Afrobarometer report revealed that the majority of Zimbabweans were opposed to the ruling party's resolution to extend Mnangagwa's term without a poll.
The report, titled “Keeping the faith: Zimbabweans express support for elections, concern over process” found that 79% of citizens prefer regular, open, and honest elections from the local to the presidential level.
According to the report, the majority of Zimbabweans preferred having elections despite having mistrust in the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to hold free and fair elections.
Meanwhile, the government in September quietly allocated millions of dollars to Tshabangu’s faction under the Political Parties Finance Act despite the fact the rightful beneficiary of the funds among the CCC factions is yet to be decided by the courts.
All the three CCC formations, one led by Jameson Timba, another by Welshman Ncube, and Tshabangu insisted they did not get the funds despite government’s confirmation that the funds were released.
The Timba-led group last year filed for an interdict seeking to stop the government from disbursing the money to any other faction, arguing it was the legitimate CCC.
The matter remains unresolved, yet accusations of covert manoeuvres and behind-the-scenes dealings continue to swirl.
Justice Ministry secretary Vimbai Nyemba told The Standard that the government had already disbursed the funds to Zanu PF and the CCC.
“Yes, they were paid partly in September,” Nyemba said.
“Zanu PF and CCC were both paid.
“I don't have the details as to which CCC party benefitted, but I know that those who are the CCC got the money.
“They also received something last year."
Mlilo, the spokesperson for Tshabangu’s faction, said claimed that they had not received the money.
Timba insisted that no disbursement could lawfully proceed while their matter remained before the courts.
“What I can say is we have pending legal matters that stand in the way of the disbursement of such funds,” he said.
“In addition, and most importantly, the Minister is required by law to give reasons to any party that he would have declined to give its claimed entitlement.
“That has not happened.”
Willias Madzimure, spokesperson for the Ncube-led CCC,said he was not aware of the disbursements.
