By A Correspondent | Barely a year after orchestrating parliamentary recalls that weakened Nelson Chamisa’s Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), self-proclaimed opposition figure Sengezo Tshabangu finds himself in financial turmoil. The Standard can exclusively reveal that rival faction leader Welshman Ncube has received a significant windfall under the Political Parties (Finance) Act, sidelining Tshabangu in a dramatic turn of events.
Ncube Secures Funding, Tshabangu Excluded
The funds, reportedly deposited into the bank account of Ncube’s CCC faction last week, have left Tshabangu reeling. Ncube, when contacted, neither confirmed nor denied the development but asserted his faction’s legitimacy.
“There is no question about that because we are the legitimate CCC,” Ncube was quoted byThe Standard. “The money is due to CCC, and we are CCC entitled to the fund in terms of the law.”
Tshabangu had lobbied to be a co-signatory on the party’s bank account, but his attempts were blocked by Ncube, effectively cutting him off from the funds.
Allegations of Collusion and Deception
Adding to Tshabangu’s woes are explosive allegations of collusion with ZANU PF and its affiliates. He was caught on camera meeting a man believed to be an aide of Scott Sakupwanya, a controversial businessman implicated in Al Jazeera’s GoldMafia documentary and a key ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The meeting, held at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Harare, has deepened suspicions about Tshabangu’s ties to ZANU PF. Despite his repeated denials of working with Mnangagwa’s ruling party, undercover journalist Simba Chikanza revealed footage of Tshabangu’s interactions, including his acknowledgment of Sakupwanya’s involvement in drafting a letter to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
This letter, allegedly intended to justify Tshabangu’s parliamentary recalls, has been dismissed as fraudulent by CCC leader Nelson Chamisa and condemned by the IPU, which demanded the reversal of the expulsions.
A Year of Controversial Recalls
Tshabangu’s recalls, initiated in October, resulted in the abrupt removal of 23 elected CCC representatives, sparking violence and unrest. Among the casualties was Bishop Tapfumaneyi Masaya, a campaign agent for CCC’s Mabvuku candidate, who was murdered under mysterious circumstances.
Critics have accused Tshabangu of working as a proxy for ZANU PF’s efforts to undermine the opposition. The recalls, described as “rain-making rituals” by observers, are seen as part of a broader strategy to destabilize Chamisa’s party.
Mounting Evidence Against Tshabangu
Chikanza’s undercover investigation has further exposed Tshabangu’s connections to ZANU PF operatives. The journalist, posing as “Cde Mabhunu,” revealed footage of Tshabangu waiting at the Crowne Plaza with Sakupwanya’s aides, allegedly thanking them for their assistance.
The video evidence, combined with the IPU letter’s provenance, has tightened the noose around Tshabangu’s credibility. CCC officials have cited the revelations as proof of his betrayal and called for accountability.
Tshabangu Dismisses Allegations
In response to the allegations, Tshabangu dismissed the revelations as “pathetic journalism” in a brief statement to ZimEye. However, the mounting evidence has left his political career hanging by a thread.
What’s Next?
As the fallout continues, Tshabangu faces increasing isolation, both financially and politically. The revelations could bolster CCC’s case against his legitimacy while raising questions about ZANU PF’s role in the recalls.
Meanwhile, Welshman Ncube’s financial victory signals a shift in the opposition landscape, with the CCC faction he leads gaining significant resources to consolidate its position.
The saga underscores the high-stakes political manoeuvres and deep-rooted tensions within Zimbabwe’s opposition, as well as the enduring influence of ZANU PF in shaping the country’s political dynamics.-ZimEye