THE Jameson Timba-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) faction has vowed to blacklist anyone within the opposition party who supports the move to amend the Constitution to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028.
In a stern warning, the party’s spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi, stated that such individuals would not only be publicly shamed, but also barred from participating in leadership roles within the party.
According to Mkwananzi, the move is aimed at maintaining the integrity of the democratic movement and upholding the country’s Constitution.
This comes amid concerns over plans to extend Mnangagwa’s rule, which according to constitutional experts could undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic progress.
“Anyone from the democratic movement who decides to support the alteration of the Constitution to allow Mr Mnangagwa to extend his term of office beyond the stipulated five years ending in 2028 and help him to rule by decree until 2030 or 2033 will not only be named and shamed, they will also be blacklisted for life,” Mkwananzi said.
“This position applies to CNA members, cluster leaders, ward co-ordinators, MPs, councillors and any other leader, member, staff and activist of the movement, including those who will or intend to join and participate in the future.”
Linda Masarira, president of the Labour, Economists and African Democrats party, has expressed concerns over attempts to amend the Constitution to extend Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028.
Speaking out against the proposed extension, Masarira also criticised the Timba-led CCC faction for threatening to blacklist individuals within the democratic movement who express differing views.
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“While I strongly oppose any attempts to amend the Constitution to extend President Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028, I equally find it troubling that the Timba-led CCC faction is threatening to blacklist individuals within the democratic movement for expressing differing views,” Masarira said.
“We cannot fight dictatorship with authoritarian tendencies. True democracy allows for open debate, engagement, and respect for diverse opinions, even when we disagree.
“Blacklisting people for their views mirrors the same intolerance we claim to be fighting against.”
Nqobizitha Mlilo, the spokesperson for the self-imposed secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu faction, said the parliamentarians should do what they think is good for the public.
“Members of Parliament should do what they think is in the best interest of the country,” he said.
Lloyd Damba, the presidential spokesperson for the Douglas Mwonzora-led Movement for Democratic Change, said what is happening now was predicted before.
“We stand where we stood. We warned you last year when we were at the Bulawayo Press Club that the CCC party will support the 2030 agenda openly,” he said.
“We told you that they were invited to a party by the First Lady, where they were spoiled.
“Secondly, they were given extra cars by the Finance minister Mthuli Ncube, and they had their allowances increased.
“They were then taken to Precabe Farm and spoiled to extra US$5 000, as we heard through the grape vine.”
Added Damba: “Now, there is nothing new that they have been given residential stands to support the 2030 agenda.
“Expect more because you have not seen anything yet. We warned you that this is the worst Parliament ever in the history of Zimbabwe.”
