Sengezo Tshabangu

Political Career

MDC

Tshabangu served as the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)'s Matabeleland North Chairperson in 2008. The party was then led by its founding leader the late former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

In 2014, Tshabangu, who was then MDC-T Matabeleland North provincial chairperson, and then Matabeleland South provincial chairperson Wachi Sibanda were forced to step down. They were accused of being members of a cabal that was plotting to oust party president Morgan Tsvangirai.^[1]

It was alleged that Tshabangu and Sibanda had been holding clandestine meetings with some individuals pushing for the ouster of Tsvangirai. The alleged conspiracy was scuttled as both their provincial councils met and passed a vote of no confidence in their leadership and, at the same time unanimously endorsed Tsvangirai as their leader. Reports at the time indicated that there were calls by pro-Tsvangirai loyalists to expel Tshabangu and Sibanda from the party.

PDP

Tshabangu was a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), a defunct party led by former Finance Minister Tendai Biti.

Presidential Guard Shootings

In 2018, Tshabangu made controversial remarks about the state's involvement in the 1 August 2018 Presidential Guard killings and exonerated President [[Emmerson Mnangagwa], stating that there were others responsible. The army opened fire on unarmed civilians who were protesting against ZEC's delay in releasing the presidential election results.

Tshabangu was among members of the public who appeared before a Commission headed by former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe to probe the killings.^[2]

He was the last witness who testified before the Motlanthe Commission hearing in Bulawayo on Friday, 26 October 2018. He said the state was responsible for the killings as it equipped the army and not ZANU PF.

Tshabangu also claimed that Mnangagwa was innocent, saying his decision to appoint the Motlanthe Commission showed that he had nothing to hide.

He also claimed that Mnangagwa was not in full control of the government, but was being undermined by some people within ZANU PF.

Welshman Ncube

In 2020, Welshman Ncube, a senior official in the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), referred to Tshabangu as his "young brother" in a Twitter post.

Imposed Candidates

Tshabangu criticized Nelson Chamisa for imposing his preferred candidates in Bulawayo when Zanu PF sued the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) due to late filing by CCC candidates before the 23-24 August 2023 elections.

Events

In 2016, Tshabangu was involved in an accident.

CCC Secretary General Claim and MP Recall

On 4 October 2023, Tshabangu claimed to be the interim Secretary General of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa.

On the same day, Tshabangu wrote a notification to the Speaker of Parliament advocate Jacob Mudenda and Minister of Local Government and Public Works Winston Chitando to recall some Citizens Coalition for Change MPs and Councillors. ^[3]

In the letter he recalled 15 MPs and 17 Councillors saying they had ceased to be members of the CCC. However, CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi said Tshabangu is not a member of the CCC. ^[4]

On 9 October, the Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, then notified the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission about 15 vacant seats in the legislative body. The announcement indicates that Jacob Mudenda disregarded CCC leader Nelson Chamisa's plea to not act on Tshabangu’s instruction. ^[5]

On 10 October, Sengezo Tshabangu then announced the expulsion of Nelson Chamisa from the CCC. He was expelled from CCC for personalising the party among other charges, with immediate effect. He stated Welshman Ncube and Tendai Biti are the acting party presidents until an Extraordinary Congress is held. ^[6]

On 4 November the High Court issued a judgment dismissing the application filed by 14 CCC MPs seeking to be reinstated as MPs. High Court Judge Munamato Mutevedzi ruled that the recalled lawmakers had failed to furnish evidence such as the party constitution or any document that could substantiate the claim that Tshabangu could not have held the position of interim secretary-general.^[7]

Following the court case win, Tshabangu claimed that CCC MPs were calling him begging him not to recall them from parliament.

Forgery Allegations/Double Candidates

Tshabangu is alleged to have signed letters that produced CCC double candidates for the 23-24 August 2023 elections, elections. About forty individuals registered to contest under the CCC banner without the party's authority. The CCC claimed it was a Zanu PF strategy to split its votes.

Media

References