Recalled CCC MPs Go Independent
THE Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) says its recalled legislators and councillors will today file papers to contest the February 3 by-elections as indepedents amid threats of recall by self-proclaimed secretary general, Sengezo Tshabangu.
The nomination court will sit today to confirm candidates that will contest in six constituencies that fell vacant following the recalls of CCC legislators by Tshabangu.
The six constituencies that will hold by-elections are Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North.
The nomination court will sit at Tradegold Building in Bulawayo, Marondera magistrates court, Chinhoyi magistrates court and Gweru magistrates court.
Last week, the country held by-elections to fill other vacant seats but recalled CCC members were barred from contesting the polls after Tshabangu approached the High Court challenging their participation.
He argued that the recalled MPs could not participate in the elections under the CCC banner because they had been expelled from the party.
The High Court ruled in Tshabangu’s favour in a ruling delivered in the middle of the night on the eve of the elections last Saturday on December 9.
CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi yesterday said this time their candidates would contest the upcoming by-elections as independents.
“We are CCC and our leader is Advocate Nelson Chamisa. We are contesting in the elections and we are winning,” said Mkwananzi.
In November, Harare High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi issued an interim interdict stopping Tshabangu, from recalling the opposition party’s legislators and councillors pending the finalisation of court cases on the ownership of the CCC.
There are several court matters over the ownership of the CCC that Chamisa unveiled last year after his former ally-turned opponent, Douglas Mwonzora, snatched the MDC from him.
Eyebrows have also been raised after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission cancelled a gazetted by-election set for Victoria Falls on Tshabangu’s orders.
