Harare West Member of Parliament Joanah Mamombe (CCC) is reportedly set to resign from a Parliament position following the ascension of Sengezo Tshabangu to the position of Leader of the Opposition in Parliament.
Tshabangu’s new position was announced by both National Assembly Speaker Jacob Mudenda and the Deputy President of the Senate during Thursday’s sessions.
Tshabangu, who also appointed himself a PR Senator several months ago, will assume the role of primary spokesperson for the opposition in its dealings with the government and other stakeholders.
His responsibilities include the formation of parliamentary portfolio committees and the selection of opposition representatives for positions within international organisations such as the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the SADC Parliamentary Forum, the International Parliamentary Union (IPU), and the African, Caribbean, and Pacific-European Union (ACP-EU).
As the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Tshabangu will also serve on the Parliament Standing Rules and Orders Committee.
Mamombe, a staunch ally of former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa, communicated with her constituency this Friday, informing them of her intention to resign from the Parliament position. She wrote:
<blockquote>
The recent developments in Parliament have been rapid &amp; unexpected. What transpired yesterday in the House has come as a complete shock to me.
I am currently in South Africa visiting a friend in the hospital battling with Cancer.
It is with a heavy heart that I address the attempts by some within the democratic space to use these parliamentary events to discredit me. 
Let me be clear: Tshabangu is an imposter and is not my leader. I unequivocally REJECT his appointment as Chairperson of the Environment Committee. I have been serving in this post since October 12th, 2023 following my appointment by President Chamisa.
In light of these recent developments, I find it necessary to step down from my parliamentary position. I believe it is best to allow those who deem Tshabangu fit to take my place.
While I am away, my team in Zimbabwe is organising a formal rejection letter to be submitted to Parliament this afternoon.
</blockquote>
However, Mamombe’s statement is not clear if she is quitting Parliament altogether or just stepping down from the post as chairperson of the Environment Committee.
Should Mamombe resign from Parliament, she would become the third CCC legislator to do so since the 2023 general elections, following in the footsteps of Fadzayi Mahere (Mt Pleasant) and Allan Markham (Harare East).
In a message to Pleasant Constituents announcing her resignation in late January this year, Mahere said she could not continue being a representative of a party whose leadership is unknown to her and whose motives and values are unclear.
Her resignation came just days after the party’s then-leader, Nelson Chamisa, had resigned from the party citing infiltration by ZANU PF.
In his resignation letter, Markham said that the party under which he was elected, CCC, had been infiltrated to an extent that it no longer represented his values and principles.
He said his decision to stand down was influenced by his assessment of the CCC’s alignment with his personal convictions.
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Mamombe Steps Down From Parliament Position After Tshabangu "Coup"

Harare West MP Joanah Mamombe (CCC) expressed concern about Zimbabwe Cricket’s plans to construct a 10,000-seater multi-purpose sports stadium in Victoria Falls for the 2027 International Cricket Council World Cup.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Mamombe highlighted that building a stadium in Victoria Falls could harm the city’s biodiversity and jeopardize its UNESCO World Heritage status.
She recommended that authorities consider alternative locations for the new stadium, preserving Victoria Falls’ natural state as a premier tourist destination.
Below is Mamombe’s presentation and the National Assembly Speaker, Jacob Mudenda’s response:
<blockquote>
HON. MAMOMBE: Thank you very much. Hon. Speaker Sir. Zimbabwe, in 2013, enacted a new Constitution which entrenched Environmental Rights in Section 73, ‘every person has the right to have the environment that is protected for the benefit of the present and future generations through reasonable legislative and other measures that prevent pollution, promote conservation and secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources.
Now, Hon. Speaker Sir, on Tuesday, Cabinet approved a proposed plan to construct a multi-purpose stadium in Victoria Falls. Hon. Speaker, Victoria Falls is renowned for its natural environment and wildlife.
Our tourism industry is heavily reliant on nature-based attractions. Zimbabwe is the third largest country in terms of wildlife resources, that is, rhinos, elephants and so forth. Why do we recognise the importance of infrastructure development Hon. Speaker?
It has the potential to attract more tourists. We cannot achieve this without disrupting our biodiversity. Many other cities in Zimbabwe could host the stadium that has been proposed thereby distributing the economic benefits without sacrificing the environmental integrity.
If tourists Hon. Speaker, can travel from South Africa to come and visit Victoria Falls, I am sure they can do the same to travel from other cities to go and visit Victoria Falls.
UNESCO heritage status is also at risk as we note that Victoria Falls was previously facing serious risks of losing the UNESCO World Heritage due to the developments that threaten its natural state.
Hon. Speaker, instead, we should explore alternative locations that do not compromise our valuable natural resources and conservation efforts.
I, therefore, pray that the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality together with the Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture bring a Ministerial Statement to elaborate on this plan to this august House. Ngatisarasai chiri mumawoko nekuda kuwombera Hon. Speaker Sir. I thank you. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
THE HON. SPEAKER: Your concern Hon. Member, in terms of protection of the environment, is noted. However, there is a master plan that is going to take care of that eventuality and also, if you may recall, the Environmental Impact Assessment will be made before any such infrastructural development takes place.
I hope that the concern you are raising will indeed be given due respect. Do not forget that Victoria Falls, in terms of its master plan, has accommodated the flora and fauna of Hwange National Park which is adjacent to the boundary of the city.
So, I think your concerns will be taken care of and it may not be necessary to ask for a Ministerial Statement.
</blockquote>
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MP Joanah Mamombe Pleads Against Stadium Construction In Victoria Falls

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s reversal of the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/05/09/mnangagwa-declares-procurement-of-public-health-assets-should-not-be-disclosed/">ban on health assets procurement disclosure</a> has been criticised for policy inconsistency.
The president last Friday declared that procurement details of public health assets will not be disclosed for “national interest.” The Office of the President and Cabinet said the declaration is in accordance with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act.
He, however, reversed GENERAL NOTICE 635 OF 2023 which had announced the ban, citing its unauthorized publication without proper authorization and signature.
The reversal attracted criticism from some members of the public.
Fadzayi Mahere, the national spokesperson of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa said the reversal was not effective until a government notice to that effect has been gazetted. She said:
<blockquote>
Policy inconsistency, confusion, flip flopping and U-turns. The incompetence is breathtaking. ..
At law, you don’t rescind a gazetted Govt Notice by a tweet or a press statement. You repeal it by way of a similarly gazetted Govt Notice. In light of your concessions on the invalidity of it, we look forward to the expeditious repeal thereof… 
Who signed these respective documents? Which should we believe? What have rise to such an egregious violation of the Constitution? Surely the public is entitled to an explanation? We need new leaders.
</blockquote>
George Charamba’s alleged Twitter account, Tinoedza Zvimwe @Tinoedzazvimwe1, agreed Mahere’s opinion was right, stating that the President’s statement was merely informative, not a reversal of the gazetted notice.  Tweeted the account:
<blockquote>
Do not tweet as if you know what it happening in Govt for compliance!!! Unless you are very silly, a PRESS STATEMENT is just that: for public information. It is not a rescinding instrument!!!!!
</blockquote>
Joanah Mamombe, CCC MP for Harare West, criticised the ruling ZANU PF, saying the party expected praise for correcting the damage it had caused. She said:
<blockquote>
ZANU PF wants us to clap hands and praise them for opening windows after they had farted. You farted and soiled the air, we can’t praise you for opening windows for us. ZANU PF has been soiling the air for 43 years. It’s time we give them the boot. Real leaders take responsibility when they err. Weak leaders play the blame game. Your so-called commitment to fighting corruption should be in word and deed. Your corruption stinks to high heavens. It’s time you leave running the country to new capable leaders.
</blockquote>
Some said some government officials should be fired if the president was not aware of the document.
Govt Spokesman, Nick Mangwana initially defended the invalid Government Notice but the Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda issued a statement moments later disowning the notice, causing inconsistency.
Linda Tsungirirai Masarira, the president of the opposition Labour, Economists and African Democrats party (LEAD) criticised government inconsistency. She said:
<blockquote>
Something is definitely not right. The inconsistencies keep mounting…
</blockquote>
Ali Naka said President Mnangagwa was testing the waters with the ban on disclosure of procurement of health assets. Nothing works if the politics is not right.
Some critics said Varakashi, “those defending the attempt to legalize looting” were swiftly rebuked which shows that social media was effective.
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Reactions To Reversal Of Ban On Health Assets Procurement Disclosure

Harare magistrate Stanford Mambanje has dismissed an application by Joanah Mamombe to have her passport released to allow her to travel to Kenya for a democracy conference.
Mamombe is the member of parliament for the Harare West constituency (MDC Alliance).
She is facing charges of faking her own alleged abduction.
Mamombe is charged alongside Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova who has since skipped the border.
In his ruling, Mambanje said:
<blockquote>
Bail is a means of procuring the release of a prisoner from legal custody upon posting sufficient security, for his (/her) appearance at a time and place designated, to answer to a criminal charge.
If the court is then to willy-nilly uplift such caveats, then the whole purpose of recognisance is put to naught.
In casu, the applicant is well aware of her limitations.
Regardless, she proceeds to embark on extraterritorial fellowship applications.
She made an application to be invited, I have no doubts that there are plenty of these and her decision to go on board such tertiary fellowships is more of a frolicsome attempt.
She ought to have waited for the case to complete, secure her full freedoms then start on these at a suitable time.
</blockquote>
Mamombe, through her lawyer, Jeremiah Bhamu, said she was not seeking to travel for leisure.
Deputy Prosecutor General Micheal Reza opposed the application arguing that Mamombe was not part of the key figures for the conference, therefore, her absence would not affect the conference programme.
In May 2020, Mamombe, Chimbiri and Marova were arrested and charged with violating COVID-19 lockdown regulations after they organised a demonstration in Warren Park, Harare against food shortages.
They were allegedly abducted, tortured, and sexually assaulted by state security agents while in police custody.
However, the government denied the allegations, and instead, arrested them for faking abduction.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Magistrate Refuses To Release Joanah Mamombe's Passport

Harare West MP, Joanah Mamombe (MDC Alliance) says First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and her two sons, Collins and Sean are not government officials and therefore, have no right to conduct government business with foreigners.
This comes after pictures of the First Lady and her sons in the company of controversial businessman, Aleksander Zingman, meeting Belarusian Foreign Affairs minister Sergei Aleinik were posted on the Information Ministry’s social media pages last Friday.
Mnangagwa and her entourage last week reportedly chartered a private plane, a Gulfstream G550, to Belarus.
Media reports from Belarus indicate that Mnangagwa met with President Aleksandr Lukashenko to discuss government business.
Under Zimbabwean law, first ladies do not hold official government positions.
Posting on Twitter, Mamombe, who is a member of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party led by Nelson Chamisa but was elected Harare West MP on an MDC Alliance ticket in 2018, said Zimbabwe’s future is being mortgaged in plain sight to benefit a few elites. She said:
<blockquote>
Auxillia and Sons (Pvt) LTD, are they government officials?
There is no minister in sight during those discussions which were called, “Deepening Bilateral relations”, by state media.
It is the First Lady and her sons doing govt business, in what capacity? To whose benefit?
The nation is being mortgaged in plain sight. The future of Zimbabwe is mortgaged for the benefit of an elite few.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Team Pachedu has urged Parliament to investigate the agreements that were signed between Mnangagwa and Belarusian officials. They wrote:
<blockquote>
Grace Mugabe never crossed this line. Auxillia Mnangagwa does not have the constitutional mandate to sign foreign agreements on behalf of Zimbabweans, or in the name of Zimbabwe. Parliament must probe this Belarus scandal!
</blockquote>
Ali Naka wrote:
<blockquote>
In what Capacity is Auxillia Mnangagwa meeting Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko? Is she now the Deputy President #GoldMafia
</blockquote>
When <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200010059/auxillia-belarus-trip-raises-eyebrows">NewsDay</a> contacted Presidential communications secretary Regis Chikowore for a comment, he said he could not comment on matters involving the First Lady.
When presidential spokesperson George Charamba was asked whether the First Lady’s Belarus visit was official or private, he kept saying: “Hello, hello, hello”.
Foreign Affairs ministry spokesperson Livit Mugejo also referred all questions to the First Lady’s office.
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