CCC FACTION DISOWNS COLTART RECALL LETTERS, WARNS OF ‘EXTORTION’ PLOT

A faction of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has rejected letters sent to Parliament and the government seeking the recall of Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart, three Members of Parliament and a senator, describing the move as illegitimate and an attempt to destabilise the opposition party.

In a statement issued today, interim national spokesperson Nqobizitha Mlilo said the purported recalls had no factual, political or legal basis and did not represent the party’s position.

The letters, dated 7 October and stamped as received today, were addressed to Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda, Senate President Senator Mabel Chinomona and Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe.

They claimed that Coltart, Bulawayo Central MP Surrender Kapoikilu, Mbizo MP Corban Madzivanyika, Epworth North MP Togarepi Zivai Mhetu and Bulawayo Senator Kucaca Ivumile Phulu had ceased to be CCC members.

The letters subsequently called on the authorities to act in accordance with Section 129(1)(k) of the Constitution, a provision concerning the vacation of parliamentary seats under specified circumstances.

However, Mlilo's faction has distanced itself from the correspondence, alleging that certain individuals were abusing the recall process to intimidate elected representatives and force them to demonstrate political allegiance.

According to the statement, internal investigations had identified those allegedly responsible for the letters, although the faction did not publicly disclose their identities.

The faction further accused the individuals involved of attempting to destabilise the party from within, warning that their actions could amount to contempt of court.

It said lawyers had been engaged to advise on a permanent resolution to the dispute, while assuring its elected representatives that their positions remained secure until at least 2030.

TSHABANGU'S NAME RETURNS TO THE RECALL CONTROVERSY

The latest development has drawn attention because the letters reportedly bear the same Bulawayo address and CCC letterhead associated with the office of Senator Sengezo Tshabangu.

Tshabangu became a central figure in Zimbabwe's opposition politics in October 2023 after his recall letters led Speaker Mudenda to declare 15 opposition legislators' seats vacant.

The latest dispute therefore raises fresh questions about internal divisions within the CCC and the continued use of parliamentary recalls in the party's political battles.

Mlilo, who has served as Tshabangu's spokesperson since the party split, is now publicly rejecting the latest recall correspondence on behalf of his faction.

The controversy also revives an earlier dispute involving Bulawayo Mayor Coltart. Last year, Tshabangu denied reports that his faction was plotting to remove the mayor, insisting that he had no intention of ousting him.

With the latest letters now disowned by Mlilo's faction, the immediate question is whether Parliament and the Ministry of Local Government will act on the correspondence or await further clarification.

For now, the CCC's internal divisions remain in the spotlight, with rival political interests and the threat of recalls continuing to cast a shadow over the opposition party.