HARARE – In a dramatic turn of events, Sengezo Tshabangu, the self-imposed secretary general of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has reportedly approached Zanu PF with a proposal to form a unity government. This arrangement, according to sources, would involve the suspension of elections for a period of two years.
Tshabangu’s move comes amid internal strife within both Zanu PF and the CCC. Zanu PF is currently grappling with divisions over a push by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s allies to extend his term of office until 2030, a proposal vehemently opposed by a faction linked to Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga.
The so-called “2030 plot” within Zanu PF aims to bypass a potentially contentious referendum on amending the constitution to allow Mnangagwa to remain in power. Instead, the plan involves leveraging Zanu PF’s two-thirds majority in Parliament to achieve the desired outcome.
It is important to note that President Mnangagwa is currently serving his second and final term, which is set to expire in 2028.
Tshabangu’s position within the CCC is itself a subject of contention. He currently holds the reins of the party following a High Court decision that nullified all leadership positions elected at the 2019 Gweru congress. This has further fuelled the internal power struggles within the opposition party, with a faction led by Welshman Ncube currently battling to reclaim control from Tshabangu.
Nqobizitha Mlilo, Tshabangu’s spokesperson, has defended the proposal to suspend elections, arguing that they are a “waste of time and toxic.”
“Our people cannot afford to continue to be served in a cycle of disputed elections,” Mlilo told The Standard. “People have gone through at least five or six disputed elections, and the result has been the same – an arrested economy and an economy that has no prospect of giving a better life to our people.”
Mlilo further stated that postponing elections until 2030 would provide an opportunity to “reset” the country and pave the way for economic recovery.
“We are interested in finding solutions to the problems that we have,” Mlilo explained. “If 2030 is the consequence of our national dialogue and that elections are postponed and we get ourselves to 2030, so be it. But that is not the primary consideration. 2030 in that instance becomes the product of national dialogue, not the end in itself.”
Mlilo emphasised the need for Zanu PF and the opposition to work together, acknowledging the weaknesses of both parties.
“Zanu has no capacity to cause an economic recovery in Zimbabwe,” he said. “The opposition in this current form is so weakened that there’s no ability to overthrow this regime. So both parties are weak for different reasons. Both parties need to agree in order to strengthen themselves for different reasons.”
Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has indicated that the ruling party is open to engaging in dialogue with Tshabangu.
“It’s a very noble idea and it’s important that we build rapport and understanding with each other at the leadership level and all the people, who aspire to be leaders of Zimbabwe so that we involve the ideas of the Zimbabwe we want,” Mutsvangwa said. “Because that then creates the parameters upon, which any other process that we can pursue and realise.”
Mutsvangwa drew parallels between Tshabangu’s call for dialogue and the situation in Mozambique, where President Daniel Chapo met with his political rival, Venancio Mondlane, to address the political crisis following a disputed election. He described the Mozambican dialogue as a “golden template.”
“There is also the golden template now of Mozambique after the hiatus, which went on subsequent to their contested elections, it’s indicative how the parties in Mozambique came together as a wakeup call to avoid the violence, exactly the same arrangement that Tshabangu is talking about,” Mutsvangwa explained.
“Our president has been championing this for some time, and there may have been challenges along the way, but with the buy-in of Tshabangu, that idea is gaining traction. It’s a stance which our president has always championed, although it may have faced challenges along the way still is and remains the way to go.”
Meanwhile, the “2030 Zanu PF crusaders” continue to advocate for constitutional amendments that would allow Mnangagwa to remain in power until 2030. Critics of this plan argue that it would require the support of the opposition in Parliament to succeed, given the need for a two-thirds majority to amend the constitution. The current overtures from Tshabangu may be seen as a way to secure that support.
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