GNU before end of year, Tshabangu claims

 

Pamenus Tuso

Bulawayo—The self-imposed interim secretary general of a Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) faction, Sengezo Tshabangu, has sensationally claimed that there will be a government of national unity (GNU) this year.

NewsHub is in possession of an audio in which, speaking at a family funeral in Ntabazinduna near Bulawayo, Tshabangu claimed that his party had reached an agreement with the ruling ZANU PF to form a coalition government in 2025.

According to him, the GNU was necessary to revive the country’s economic fortunes.

“The country is burning upside down. Your relatives and children are abroad; it is not by choice but because of the unstable economy of the country,” he added. 

Drawing comparisons with the 2009 GNU between the late Morgan Tsvangirai, Robert Mugabe and Arthur Mutambara, Tshabangu suggested that a similar arrangement was necessary for the country’s economic recovery. 

The February 2009 coalition, mediated by former South African president, Thabo Mbeki, followed a disputed June 2008 run-off after a wave of State-sponsored violence that killed hundreds of mostly opposition supporters and government critics.

Tsvangirai, as Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) presidential candidate, had won the first round against Mugabe in March of the same year, but without enough votes to form a new government, forcing the run-off.

Mutambara then led an MDC splinter, but quit active politics at the expiry of the GNU in the first half of 2013.

“Robert (Mugabe) and Tsvangirai did it. They sat down to provide jobs for the people and allowed foreign currency into the country. 

“This year, 2025, should not end without experiencing what was there in 1987 and 2008. This should come back to life so that those who are abroad can come and experience life back home.

“This is the message you should take home,” Tshabangu said at the funeral.

Zanu PF merged with the old ZAPU in December 1987 following more than half a decade of internal strife that resulted in the security forces killing more than 20,000 people in southern Zimbabwe, according to the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP).

But Tshabangu may be hollering into the dark, as his claim of a GNU was swiftly dismissed by rival opposition actors in the CCC, and his own aide too.

Despite the presence of the audio, Tshabangu’s spokesperson, Nqobizitha Mlilo, dismissed the claim of a GNU as untrue.

“Such an important national issue cannot be dealt with just like that,” said Mlilo in an interview with NewsHub. 

Tshabangu, who imposed himself as a senator in the upper chamber and caused numerous recalls in the opposition, is seen to increasingly cosy up to President Mnangagwa to remain relevant in opposition politics.

In recent years, the Zanu PF government has strategically supported opposition splinters so as to weak rival parties.

It defended Douglas Mwonzora’s MDC Alliance party against Nelson Chamisa, forcing him to form the CCC two years ago, but Tshabangu quickly claimed the shadowy position of interim secretary general that finally forced the CCC founder out of active politics.

Chamisa, in his resignation letter, argued that CCC had been infiltrated by ZANU PF proxies.

Promise Mkwananzi, spokesperson for the Jameson Timba-led CCC splinter faction, rejected Tshabangu’s claims, calling them “nonsense”.

“I don’t know, but I doubt it, and we are vehemently opposed to that nonsense,” said Mkwananzi.

Tshabangu’s recalls have played into the hands of ZANU PF by reducing the opposition’s numbers in parliament and giving ZANU PF a two-thirds majority in the legislature. 

With his critics accusing him of being a mole, Tshabangu’s actions are being viewed as helping President Mnangagwa’s controversial push to extend his term beyond 2028, when he is constitutionally obligated to hand the baton over.

A GNU, it has been speculated, may help Mnangagwa succeed in his scheme to rule beyond his second and final term.

Amid its internal disputes and controversial actions, Tshabangu’s faction seems to align with certain elements within ZANU PF that are pushing to extend Mnangagwa’s rule beyond 2028.

Analysts believe that Mnangagwa’s loyalists, by supporting Tshabangu, hope to weaken CCC’s unity, ensuring that the opposition remains fragmented and incapable of mounting a unified challenge to the incumbent’s seemingly inevitable extended term to 2030, beyond the constitutionally ascribed 2028.

ZANU PF insiders aligned with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga believe the internal instability within CCC serves as a strategic advantage for Mnangagwa’s loyalists, allowing them to push forward with constitutional changes or alliances that could extend Mnangagwa’s political tenure well into 2030, while the opposition is distracted by its own leadership struggles. 

The ZANU PF director of Information, Farai Mharapira, told NewsHub that the ruling party was not aware of Tshabangu’s claims for a GNU but welcomed any development that takes the nation forward. 

“I believe that it was their inter-party (CCC) discussions, which we are not privy to, but as ZANU PF, we welcome a concept that takes this country forward,” said Mharapira.

Tshabangu’s recent controversial moves to reshuffle parliamentary leadership, which included efforts to remove key figures like Lynette Karenyi-Kore and Edwin Mushoriwa, led to a legal dispute, with the High Court recently ruling in favour of Ncube. 

Following the High Court ruling, Ncube suspended Tshabangu from his role as secretary-general, citing violations of the party’s constitution. 

Kuraone Chihwai, Ncube’s spokesperson, clarified the situation, stating, “Acting in terms of Article 9.1.2.3 of the CCC Constitution, the Acting President, Prof Welshman Ncube, has suspended Sengezo Tshabangu with immediate effect. 

“This decision was made in light of Tshabangu’s actions, which were deemed to be in contravention of the party’s constitution. 

“Tshabangu’s suspension is pending a disciplinary hearing, which will be conducted in accordance with the party’s internal processes,” read Chihwai’s statement. 

Chihwai, in an interview, went on to say that CCC was not in GNU talks with ZANU PF and the party had no plans in its agenda to lobby ZANU PF for a marriage or deferment of the 2028 plebiscite.

“As a people-driven political party, we shall continue taking instructions from the owners of the party. 

“The High Court in Harare cleared the air on matters regarding the legitimate CCC president and the legitimate CCC chief whip of the party. 

“The 2030 agenda is not our baby and, as far as we are concerned, harmonised elections will be held in 2028,” Chihwai stated.