In a letter gleaned by this publication, party members raised concerns over the alleged failure to convene formal party meetings, the handling of government funding and appointments to key leadership positions.

They accused Tshabangu of personalising the party and disregarding its constitution, which he said required major decisions to be made collectively through established party organs.

“It is with a heavy heart that we address you CCC party champions through this media platform updating you on goings-on within the people’s party that has sadly been personalized by one individual who unilaterally make decisions that require the collective or party organs as enshrined in the party constitution,” read the letter.

They said, as of last year, Tshabangu had not formally convened a meeting involving other party organs and departments with invitations issued and minutes recorded.

The dispute also centres on the distribution of funds allocated to political parties by the government they said (last year) the government had released more than ZiG25.3 million, equivalent to about US$1.4 million, in political party funding in April 2025, but alleged that the party’s national finance committee had not met to oversee or determine how the money should be distributed.

“As a department we are constitutionally mandated to sit in the National finance committee that oversees or determines the distribution of these funds but that never happened,” they said.

The party memnber demanded the immediate and transparent release of the money to provincial and district structures to support party programmes and also called for a clear record of how the funds had been spent arguing that public funding should be subject to accountability requirements.

The allegations add another layer to the divisions within the CCC which has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership dispute following Tshabangu’s emergence as interim secretary-general.further accused the party leadership of making appointments that, in his view, risked undermining regional representation.

He pointed to the concentration of several senior parliamentary positions among politicians from Matabeleland, including the leader of the opposition, the Senate chief whip, the National Assembly chief whip and the leader of the women’s caucus.

“It’s not just a mere coincidence that the Leader of Opposition is from MATEBELELAND, the Senate Chief Whip is from MATEBELELAND, the National Assembly Chief Whip is from MATEBELELAND, the Woman’s Caucus leader in Parliament is again from MATEBELELAND,” they wrote.

“We need to balance all provinces and as the Organising department we ought to be fully consulted before such crucial and strategic appointments are done.”

The letter also renewed calls for the appointment of an interim presidium arguing that the party needed a properly constituted leadership to function effectively.

He said the organising department had a constitutional responsibility to oversee the establishment of party structures and would consult members on suitable candidates to fill key leadership positions until a congress was held.

“Interim Presidium appointments is long overdue. We want to build an institution that will outlive us,” he said.

“Political parties just like human beings operate effectively when all its body organs are there, we cannot continue to be a party that operates from the intestines without the head and brains.”

The latest dispute comes amid reports that Susan Matsunga has been appointed interim national organiser while Evans Ndaba has reportedly been named interim deputy national organiser.

Sources cited in the reports alleged that the appointments were made without an internal democratic process further fuelling concerns about Tshabangu’s leadership and control of party structures.

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Mwonzora said the MDC’s legal challenge to the signing of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB 3) into law remained active with the matter scheduled for a hearing on 25 November 2026.

“The President signed CAB 3 into law, but as you know the MDC has challenged the signing of CAB 3 into law. Our matter is being held on the 25th of November 2026. So the game is still on. We are still fighting on behalf of the people to preserve the integrity of our constitution,” Mwonzora said.

Mwonzora also criticised a resolution adopted at the recently held ruling Zanu PF party’s conference backing Mnangagwa as its sole presidential candidate in 2029.

He argued that the resolution signaled an intention to keep Mnangagwa in office beyond his current constitutional term potentially until 2037.

“What that means is that he will be their presidential candidate in 2030. So, the nation is being prepared for a Mnangagwa presidency up to 2037,” he said.

Mwonzora called on opposition parties and other Zimbabweans opposed to the proposed changes to unite against what he described as an attempt to weaken the Constitution.

“We cannot allow Zanu PF a free ride. That’s why everybody is united against this CAB 3,” he said.

He added that the MDC would be at the forefront of efforts to resist any constitutional changes that could facilitate an extension of Mnangagwa’s tenure.

“Certainly the MDC will be at the forefront of preventing this emasculation of the constitution,” Mwonzora said.

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The push for accountability has intensified with party members insisting that the legislators’ conduct during the crucial parliamentary vote cannot simply be swept under the carpet.

Those reportedly facing possible disciplinary action include Primary and Secondary Education deputy minister Angeline Gata, Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs minister Marian Chombo, Deputy Foreign Affairs minister Sheilla Chikomo, Skills Audit minister Jenifan Muswere and ICT minister Tatenda Mavetera among others.

Other MPs cited in connection with the vote include Joel Sithole, Rajesh Kumar Modi, Barbara Rwodzi, Tongai Mnangagwa, Dingumuzi Phuti and Ozias Bvute.

A Zanu PF provincial source said the matter remained a source of anger among party members with some now pushing for formal representations to the national leadership.

“This matter is far from over. People on the ground are demanding answers and we cannot pretend nothing happened when the party was dealing with a constitutional amendment of such importance. Those who failed to vote must explain themselves to the party. We are preparing to raise the matter with the national leadership because silence will only encourage indiscipline,” the source said.

The source said party members wanted the leadership to establish the circumstances surrounding the legislators’ absence and determine whether disciplinary action was warranted.

Another party source said holding government positions should not shield members from accountability.

“You cannot expect to enjoy the benefits of being a party member, hold a government position and then disappear when the party needs you most. Leadership comes with responsibility. If there were genuine reasons for missing the vote, let the affected members explain them. But if there was deliberate defiance, then the party must act,” the source said.

The pressure could put some of the affected ministers and legislators under renewed scrutiny as the party seeks to enforce discipline among its parliamentary representatives.

A third source said the party leadership needed to demonstrate that seniority would not protect members found to have deliberately disregarded party expectations.

“Being a minister or deputy minister does not put anyone above the party. These positions are privileges that come with obligations. The leadership must examine what happened and make it clear that nobody is untouchable. If people deliberately undermined the party on CAA3, they should not expect business as usual,” the source said.

The proposed petitions are also expected to focus on whether the affected legislators should face disciplinary proceedings and what consequences could follow if their explanations are found unsatisfactory.

“We are not making noise for the sake of it. We want the leadership to receive our concerns formally and make a decision. The party cannot preach discipline to ordinary members while appearing to overlook the conduct of senior officials. We want this matter resolved, and we want those responsible to account,” another source said.

However, the sources acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding individual absences needed to be established before any decisions were made.

A party source said those named in the controversy should be given an opportunity to explain themselves but warned against protecting anyone because of their position.

“The names being discussed must be handled through the proper party structures. Nobody should be condemned without being given an opportunity to explain. But equally, nobody should be shielded because they hold a senior position. We expect the leadership to investigate every case and take action where wrongdoing is established,” the source said.

The controversy has placed the spotlight on internal party discipline following the passage of CAA3, a constitutional amendment that extended presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years and changed the process of electing the President.

It remains unclear whether formal petitions have been submitted to the national leadership or whether disciplinary proceedings have been initiated.

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The concerns come as Zimbabwe joins the world in commemorating the International Day of Democracy, with the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) calling for greater citizen participation in governance and stronger protection of democratic rights.

This year’s International Day of Democracy is being commemorated under the theme “Raising Hands and Voices – Fostering Agency and Ownership through Deliberative Democracy.”

In a statement marking the day, ZESN said democracy should not be reduced to elections but should be viewed as an ongoing process requiring citizen participation, accountability and the protection of fundamental rights.

“Democracy is not a destination we arrive at, but a practice we work towards,” ZESN said.

“It is not merely an event on election day, but is a continuous process of participation, accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights.”

The organisation said deliberative democracy required citizens to actively participate in shaping policies and leadership decisions rather than simply accepting decisions made by those in power.

But the call comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s civic space remains heavily contested, with human rights organisations and democracy advocates raising concerns over laws and state actions they say restrict the space available for independent civic engagement.

One of the most significant developments has been the enactment of the Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Act, 2025, which was signed into law by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on 11 April 2025. The law introduced new regulatory requirements for civil society organisations and expanded the state’s oversight of the sector.

The government has defended the legislation as necessary to strengthen accountability, improve transparency and prevent the abuse of non-governmental organisations for money laundering and terrorist financing.

However, human rights organisations have warned that the law gives authorities extensive powers over civil society and could undermine freedom of association and expression. Human Rights Watch described the legislation as a significant restriction on civic space, while other rights groups have warned that it could make it more difficult for independent organisations to monitor government, advocate for reforms and hold public institutions accountable.

The law has therefore become an important test of the relationship between the state and civil society in Zimbabwe.

For democracy advocates, civil society organisations play a critical role outside election periods by monitoring government, providing civic education, defending human rights and giving citizens platforms through which they can engage policymakers.

The shrinking of that space therefore has implications beyond NGOs themselves.

It affects the ability of citizens to organise, express dissent, demand accountability and participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives.

Zimbabwe’s political environment has also remained contentious, with opposition parties and civil society groups raising concerns over restrictions on demonstrations, arrests of activists and the broader operating environment for political dissent.

The country’s elections have similarly faced criticism.

The 2023 harmonised elections attracted concerns from international and regional observers over issues including political freedoms, the electoral environment and restrictions on fundamental rights.

Against this backdrop, ZESN’s call for citizens to have greater agency takes on added significance.

The organisation said credible elections and an informed citizenry were essential to Zimbabwe’s democratic, social and economic stability.

“Through our ongoing work in civic education and electoral stakeholder capacity building, we continue to strengthen our nation’s democratic fabric,” ZESN said.

The debate over democracy has also intensified around proposed constitutional changes, with critics warning that attempts to alter the country’s constitutional and electoral architecture could weaken democratic checks and balances and reduce direct citizen participation in governance.

At the heart of the debate is a broader question: can democracy function effectively when citizens, opposition parties, journalists and civil society organisations have limited space to challenge those in power?

Democracy extends beyond the ballot box. It requires independent institutions, freedom of expression, freedom of association, an independent media, credible elections and an active civil society capable of scrutinising government.

ZESN’s message on International Day of Democracy is therefore a reminder that citizen participation cannot be confined to election day.

“Deliberative democracy prioritises informed dialogue, inclusivity, and mutual respect, ensuring that even the most marginalised voices are heard in the national conversation,” the organisation said.

For Zimbabwe, the challenge is not simply holding elections, but creating an environment in which citizens are free to raise their hands, raise their voices and participate in public affairs without fear.

That, ultimately, is the test of whether democratic participation is merely promised — or genuinely practised.

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His comments came a day after Brilliant Dube, who served as CCC Director of Protocol in 2022 was appointed one of 10 senators by President Mnangagwa.

Chamisa has previously alleged that Zanu-PF and state security agencies infiltrated opposition parties in an effort to weaken and divide them.

He cited the emergence of Sengezo Tshabangu who claimed to be the CCC’s interim secretary-general and recalled opposition MPs and councillors as one of the developments that led to the collapse of the party.

Chamisa also resigned from the CCC in January 2024, months after the disputed recalls saying the party had been infiltrated and taken over by individuals he accused of working against its interests.

In his latest remarks, Chamisa said events were now revealing what he described as the government’s strategy.

“THE CAT NOW OUT OF THE BAG..When Tshabangu happened and when I left the CCC snake pit, many were simply too slow to see ED’s endgame: manipulating the Constitution and using every available means to illegally extend illegitimate term in office.”

Chamisa, who previously led the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance said the level of political manipulation he had witnessed was unprecedented.

“With what I have personally been through and what we are witnessing now, Mugabe almost looks like an amateur or a baby when it comes to dictatorship and tyranny,” he said.

He accused the government of using money, state resources and political influence to manipulate political institutions and opposition movements.

“The scale of bribery, infiltration and manipulation through money, trinkets, state capture, and the abuse of power is staggering,” Chamisa said.

“It is operating at a level never imagined or witnessed before.”

Despite the criticism, Chamisa said he remained optimistic about the future of Zimbabwe’s opposition.

“But then fighting evil is never easy and will not stop. The struggle continues. Hope is not lost. Good will ultimately win and defeat all evil,” he said.

He said recent developments had also made it easier to identify people he described as “pretenders and infiltrators”.

“The true colours are coming out. Only that we know what most people don’t…. Now it’s easy to start afresh because pretenders and infiltrators are now fully known and more will come out. We are starting all over again. A fresh start!” he posted.

Dube’s appointment to the Senate has added a new dimension to Chamisa’s long-standing allegations of infiltration within the opposition although the appointment itself does not establish that Dube was involved in any such activities.

Chamisa has not announced the structure or leadership of any new political movement following his departure from the CCC but has at many times hinted of a new political formation.

The opposition has faced repeated divisions and leadership disputes in recent years with internal conflicts and party recalls reshaping the political landscape.

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The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) announced the suspension on Friday, a day after voters went to the polls to elect the president, members of Parliament and local government representatives.

Officials said incidents had been reported in several districts, including cases in which marked ballots were removed from ballot boxes. The commission said it would review the suspension within 24 hours.

The decision comes as Zambia awaits the outcome of a closely watched presidential election between incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema and opposition challenger Brian Mundubile.

Hichilema, who came to power in 2021, is seeking a second term after overseeing debt restructuring and efforts to stabilise the economy. Mundubile has campaigned on reducing the cost of living and improving democratic freedoms.

More than 8 million registered voters were eligible to participate in Thursday’s election. The ECZ had initially scheduled the presidential result to be declared on August 17, although it remains unclear whether the suspension will affect that timetable.

Zambia is regarded as one of southern Africa’s more stable democracies, making the developments particularly significant as the country awaits the official results.

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Mundubile, leader of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP), said his party’s Parallel Voter Tabulation (PVT), based on results collected from polling stations and totalling centres nationwide, indicated that he had won the presidency.

In a statement issued on August 14, Mundubile questioned delays in the publication and verification of official results, warning that prolonged uncertainty could create room for interference or manipulation.

He called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to immediately release results and provide political parties and observers with access to electoral records needed to independently verify the outcome.

Mundubile also cited allegations of irregularities reported by his party, including claims that military personnel had taken control of some totalling centres in Mufulira and that Gen 20 result forms had been removed.

He further raised concerns over alleged incidents involving ballot boxes in Chawama and Matero constituencies, as well as reports that election officials in North-Western Province had been instructed to stop issuing results and Gen 20 forms.

The opposition leader called for all ballot boxes and electoral documents to be preserved, with their chain of custody maintained. He also urged the ECZ to publish results at polling-station and constituency level so figures can be reconciled against original records.

Hichilema, meanwhile, urged Zambians to remain calm and await the official declaration.

“We continue to receive encouraging results and reports of peace, unity and solidarity across our country as the votes come in,” he said.

“Let us remain peaceful, patient and patriotic as we await the official outcome from those entrusted with managing the vote.”

Mundubile also called on supporters to avoid violence, saying the protection of the vote must be pursued within the law.

With both camps expressing confidence in their respective tallies, attention is now focused on the ECZ as it verifies and announces the official results.

“The people of Zambia voted. Their decision must be respected,” Mundubile sai

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Supporters argue that the day would complement Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day by linking Zimbabwe’s ancient civilisation, liberation history and future development aspirations. While Heroes Day honours those who sacrificed for independence and Defence Forces Day recognises those safeguarding national sovereignty, Munhumutapa Day would celebrate the country’s pre-colonial heritage and place young people at the centre of nation-building.

The day is associated with the legacy of the Munhumutapa Empire, one of Southern Africa’s most influential pre-colonial civilisations, known for organised governance, agriculture, mining and trade.

Youth advocates say a public holiday could promote cultural awareness, heritage tourism and research while creating opportunities for innovation exhibitions, investment forums and community development initiatives.

Munhumutapa Day also coincides with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s birthday, a connection supporters say symbolically links Zimbabwe’s liberation generation with the country’s future.

For its advocates, the proposal is about more than adding another date to the calendar. They argue it would create an annual platform for young Zimbabweans to embrace their history while actively contributing to the country’s development and Vision 2030.

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Zanu PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi has launched a blistering attack on MDC leader Douglas Mwonzora, accusing him of “rank hypocrisy” and “political dishonesty” over his sudden push for secret voting on the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3).

Speaking to the mediaTogarepi said Mwonzora’s position was not only inconsistent but exposed what he described as “blatant double standards” after the opposition figure actively participated in the passage of Constitutional Amendment No. 2 without ever demanding a secret ballot.

“Mwonzora is the last person who should lecture anyone about voting procedures. He sat in the House during Constitutional Amendment No. 2 and never raised the issue of secret voting. Not once.We were together during that time and he was very happy not to use secret voting process,”Togarepi fumed.

“He cannot rewrite history today simply because it suits his fading political relevance. This is shameless hypocrisy of the highest order.”

Togarepi said Parliament’s rules are clear and have always allowed for open voting, which he argued promotes transparency and accountability.

“Parliament is not a hiding place. Members are elected to represent the people openly, not to conceal their positions behind secret ballots when it becomes politically convenient,” he said.

The Zanu PF chief whip dismissed Mwonzora’s proposal on CAB3 as “desperate and laughable”.

“This sudden obsession with secret voting is nothing but a desperate attempt to seek relevance. Zimbabweans are not fools. They can see that this is a man clutching at straws,” he said.

“You cannot behave like this and expect to be taken seriously. Today you want secrecy, yesterday you were comfortable with openness. Which is which? This kind of flip-flopping exposes a complete lack of principle,” he said.

Togarepi added that Mwonzora’s arguments deserved no attention.

“He must go hang with his contradictions. Parliament will not be held hostage by inconsistent and self-serving positions,” he said.

In his submission to Parliament earlier this week, Mwonzora said secret voting was crucial as legislators faced the real threat of intimidation and harassment given the national interest surrounding

The post Togarepi Exposes Mwonzora Over ‘Shameless Hypocrisy’ on Voting in Parly appeared first on 263Chat.

A local civic group has warned that the country is facing a “dire constitutional crisis” on the eve of its 46th Independence celebrations saying recent political and economic developments threaten democracy and the future of young people.

Chiedza Mlingwa, deputy spokesperson for the Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF) said the country was experiencing shrinking civic space, worsening economic hardship and growing pressure on judicial independence.

“It is disheartening that on the eve of the country’s 46th Independence Commemoration we are presently faced with a dire constitutional crisis that will really have severe implications not just for our democratic architecture but also threatens the collective futures of the children we are raising today,” she said.

Mlingwa accused the state of increasingly turning against its own citizens and cited the arrests of student activists Emmanuel Sitima and Takunda Mhuka.

“We have seen disturbingly an increased clampdown on student activism with the arrest of Emmanuel Sitima and Takunda Mhuka as notable recent examples. They are far from being criminals or imminent to society. They are young men who are products of their immediate environment, victims of circumstances they did not even create. Their activism is less an act of malice than a direct reflection of unmet basic needs,” she said.

She also painted a bleak picture of the economy saying many Zimbabweans were struggling with the rising cost of living and high fuel prices.

“The cost of basic living has reached unsustainable proportions and fuel prices in Zimbabwe remain significantly higher than the rest of the region,” she said.

Mlingwa compared Zimbabwe’s fuel prices with neighbouring countries saying motorists in Zambia and Namibia were paying much less.

“It is against this backdrop and this comparative context that the recent directive by the Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube is not only detached from reality but actually remains deeply insensitive. For many citizens, mobility is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. It’s tied to survival, it’s tied to livelihoods, it’s tied to access to essential services,” she said.

The CDF also alleged growing interference with freedom of assembly and expression.

Mlingwa said the group had notified police of plans to hold a public meeting in Glen Norah to discuss Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 but later received notice that it could not proceed because of unspecified security concerns.

“This stifling of dialogue and citizen participation is uncharacteristic of a government that claims to enjoy overwhelming support from the majority of its citizens,” she said.

“A government confident in its legitimacy does not hear the voice of its own citizens.”

She further criticised the continued detention of activist Madzibaba veShanduko who she said had spent more than six months in prison awaiting trial.

“He is already effectively serving a prison sentence despite not yet being convicted,” she said.

Turning to the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3, Ms Mlingwa said the measure was being presented as necessary for development but argued it would instead sideline citizens.

“The architects and main beneficiaries of our misery are now saying to us today, give us two more additional years… through constitutional amendment bill number three. They say it’s about development. They say it’s about having sufficient time in order to complete projects. We say, in reality, it’s about reducing Zimbabweans to mere spectators in the destiny of their own nation,” she said

She added that the CDF rejected the bill completely and called for it to be withdrawn.

“It is against this spectrum that we as CDF reject constitutional amendment bill number three in its entirety and call for its complete withdrawal and would like to also call upon all Zimbabweans to mobilise in defence of the constitution regardless of political affiliation,” she said.

Zimbabwe marks 46 years of independence tomorrow amid continuing debate over governance, economic pressures and proposed constitutional reforms.

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