Citizen Coalition for Change self-imposed interim secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu has attracted fierce criticism from various stakeholders in the Matabeleland region following his public declaration that his party will support moves to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office beyond 2028.
On January 12, Tshabangu, led a group of CCC legislators that joined their Zanu PF counterparts that toured Mnangagwa’s Precabe Farm outside Kwekwe, where he said Zimbabwe’s main opposition party will not stand in the way of the controversial third term bid.
The 82-year-old Zanu PF leader has repeatedly said that he is a constitutionalist and does not intend to remain in office beyond 2028 when his term of office expires.
His loyalists, however, want his term extended to 2030 in line with a Zanu PF resolution adopted at the party’s annual conference held in Bulawayo last October.
Ibhetshu likaZulu secretar-general Mbuso Fuzwayo said it was disheartening for Tshabangu, who comes from the underdeveloped Matabeleland North province, to be supporting Mnangagwa's continued stay in office.
"He (Mnangagwa) promised to respect the citizens’ rights, freedoms, improve the economy, but after the coup, no election promises have been fulfilled," Fuzwayo said.
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"The (2030 agenda) is something that everyone must unite against. It must be resisted."
Freedom Alliance leader Samukele Hadebe said Tshabangu had betrayed the Matabeleland region.
"He makes a fool of himself and goes down in history as a captured opposition," Hadebe said.
"He is a shame. As senator from Matabeleland North, he is soiling the image of the province which definitely cannot support this bootlicking. He has been allowed to abuse the people with apparent impunity."
Zapu leader Sibangilizwe Nkomo said Tshabangu was the latter day Enos Nkala who was viewed with revulsion over his role during the 1980s Gukurahundi massacres.
"We strongly condemn all opposition enablers of the Zanu PF 2030 agenda. Betrayal of this magnitude is unforgivable," Nkomo said.
"The constitution of our nation is not a list of suggestions, but a sacred covenant with the people.
"As Zapu, we have chosen our path. We are returning to the grassroots, engaging directly with the masses."
In an open letter to Tshabangu, Progressive Alliance of Mthwakazi Unions activist Cosmas Ncube, echoed similar sentiments.
"Do you think Matabeleland people are proud of you in the parliament of Zimbabwe?," Ncube asked.
"You are from Matabeleland and you are not saying anything about the plight of the people of Matabeleland.
"You are now seen working against the same oppressed people, who are supposed to be represented by you."
Zapu Bulawayo secretary Vivian Siziba said Tshabangu's public support for Mnangagwa’s term extension should be condemned.
"One of their legislative roles is to defend the Constitution, but they appear to be abandoning it," Siziba said.
"They are aware that they may not be returned to the legislature in the next plebiscite, hence their desire to extend the life of parliament so that they continue to enjoy privileges and benefits associated with the elective public office."
Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi last week told the State-controlled media that his ministry was ready to introduce constitutional amendments that would pave the way for Mnangagwa to stay in office beyond 2028.
Details of how Zanu PF intends to implement the resolution that will see a change from to five-year terms for presidents have not been released, but indications are that some will push for the postponement of the 2028 elections by two years.
Others in Zanu PF say Mnangagwa should remain in power until 2033. Legal experts say both options would need the constitution to be amended and the changes approved by Zimbabweans through a referendum.
Civil society and opposition groups have vowed to resist Zanu PF’s push for the scrapping of presidential term limits.
Mnangagwa is also likely to face internal opposition because Zanu PF is divided on the issue, with one faction pushing for his deputy Constantino Chiwenga to take over.
Chiwenga, who was Zimbabwe’s army commander at the time, led the 2017 coup.
Observers say Mnangagwa’s succession is likely to mirror that of his predecessor, Robert Mugabe, with the military likely to have a say on who takes over from him.
A week ago, the president retired Central Intelligence Organisation director-general Isaac Moyo and police commissioner-general Godwin Matanga in a move that was seen as linked to internal battles in Zanu PF over the impending leadership changes.
They were replaced by Fulton Mangwanya and Stephen Mutamba respectively.
Zanu PF was expected to elect its next leader in 2027 and the winner would be the party’s presidential candidate in elections scheduled for the following year.
Chiwenga is seen as a front runner, with the 2030 campaign viewed in some quarters as a way of stopping the VP from taking the highest office in the land.