CITIZENS Coalition for Change (CCC) faction leader Jameson Timba has come out guns blazing, accusing his erstwhile colleague Welshman Ncube of riding on his coattails in the ongoing court battle against self-imposed interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu.
The High Court on Wednesday granted Ncube’s CCC faction an application for an interdict to stop Tshabangu from making appointments in Parliament on behalf of the party.
However, the ruling was based on the argument by Ncube’s CCC that Tshabangu had violated an earlier High Court ruling under case HH 652/23, which stopped him from effecting recalls pending cases HC 6872/23 and HH 652/23 — filed Timba’s CCC faction.
Part of the High Court judgment by Justice Neville Wamabo reads: “Applicants place reliance on the Chitapi J judgment and interpret it to import that first respondent is effectively barred from recalling or purporting to issue any letter of recall. Further that the reshuffle in this case amounts to a recall literally and at law.
“The argument by applicants is that the office bearers held office in the CSRO [Committee of Standing Rules and Orders], but no longer hold such office which amounts to a recall... I agree that removing members from the CSRO and replacing them with others amounts to a recall. Effectively, first respondent disobeyed the order rendered in HH 652/23.”
In an interview with NewsDay yesterday, Timba said Ncube went to court based on his party’s pending court cases, although the former MDC minister in the Government of National Unity was not the CCC leader.
Keep Reading
- News in depth: Fears of violent 2023 polls grow as ED fails to deliver on promises
- Chamisa party defiant after ban
- Letter to my people: Mthuli Ncube experiment has failed
- News in depth: Slain Moreblessing Ali’s family fears cover-up as children are forced into hiding
Timba said he had not pursued both cases because he had been in jail.
“As CCC, we are still studying the judgment,” Timba said.
“What I seem to get for now is that professor Welshman Ncube went to court purporting to represent the CCC and based his challenge on an interdict we secured for our party against Tshabangu.
“This matter confirms the position we have always held that the only legal and legitimate authority for the CCC MPs and councillors is the CCC led by president Nelson Chamisa, which sponsored the candidates, for which I am currently the interim leader.”
Timba rubbished the claims that Ncube was the CCC interim leader.
“We have no problem with the court judgment to the extent that it confirms that Tshabangu has always been an impostor and that the authority lies with the party represented in the two cases cited in the judgment,” he said.
“The judgment, in its current form and context, restores authority to CCC and the citizens national assembly shall meet soon to deliberate on this and other issues affecting the party.
“In this regard, we will be pursuing our two cases in HH 652/23 and HC 6872/23 for the benefit of our members, MPs and councillors.”
Meanwhile, Ncube-led CCC spokesperson Willias Madzimure did not dispute that Timba’s previous court applications were the basis of the faction’s latest application, but insinuated that Timba and Ncube belonged to the same party.
“Timba, as a member of the CCC party and an interested part, had a right and duty to protect the party,” Madzimure said.
“He did well by approaching the courts. We appreciate what the party gained.
“However, this was ignored by Tshabangu, and the same CCC party leadership had to approach the courts again. This must be celebrated.”
Meanwhile, Ncube yesterday announced Tshabangu’s suspension from the CCC pending a disciplinary hearing.
“Whereas, clause 9.1.2.3 of the Citizens Coalition for Change party constitution provides that, the president shall supervise all office bearers in the national leadership structures and may suspend, on reasonable grounds for breach of the party’s constitution rules and regulations:
“Any member of the national standing committee, national executive committee, national council pending investigation and disciplinary action; provided that after suspension of the member as aforesaid the president shall duly report to the national executive committee.
“And now, therefore, by virtue of the power vested in me in terms of the said clause, 9.1.2.3, I hereby suspend you from the party and all positions you hold and/or purport to hold in the party,” the statement said.
Ncube accused Tshabangu of acting in brazen breach of the party’s constitution, rules and regulations by defying his authority, the authority of the national standing committee, the national executive committee and the national council.
He accused Tshabangu of making changes and decisions on behalf of the party and making media statements to reflect the party’s positions without authorisation of any organ of the party.
Ncube said Tshabangu had ceased to be the party’s interim secretary-general or leader of the opposition in the Senate and Parliament, but would keep his position as Senator for Matabeleland North province.