Harare, Zimbabwe — A faction within the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), aligned with self-declared interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu, is reportedly advocating for a decade-long suspension of national elections. This controversial proposal emerges as discussions surrounding the extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure continue to dominate the political landscape.
According to political insiders, the Tshabangu-led group is operating under the assumption that the proposed extension of President Mnangagwa’s term to 2030 is already a settled matter. Consequently, their focus has shifted toward establishing a transitional government that would delay the next electoral cycle until 2035.
Sources familiar with the faction’s strategy indicate that this push for an election freeze is intertwined with internal dynamics within the ruling Zanu-PF party. The plan is allegedly supported by a faction seeking to consolidate power and block potential successors, including Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, by maintaining the current leadership structure through a transitional arrangement.
“The 2030 extension is viewed by this camp as a foregone conclusion,” a source close to the developments revealed. “The new objective is 2035, aiming for a transitional government under the premise that the current electoral system is ineffective.”
Attempts to obtain an official comment from Nqobizitha Mlilo, the spokesperson for the Tshabangu faction, were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
This push for an electoral moratorium starkly contrasts with prevailing public sentiment. A recent comprehensive survey by Afrobarometer, titled “Keeping the faith: Zimbabweans express support for elections, concern over process,” highlights a strong national preference for democratic processes. The study found that 79% of Zimbabweans desire regular, transparent, and honest elections across all levels of government. Despite widespread skepticism regarding the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s (ZEC) ability to conduct free and fair polls, the electorate remains firmly opposed to extending presidential terms without a mandate from the ballot box.
Adding to the political friction is the recent disbursement of state funds under the Political Parties Finance Act. In September, the government allocated millions of dollars to the Tshabangu faction, a move that has intensified the legitimacy battle within the fractured opposition.
The rightful beneficiary of these funds remains a subject of intense legal dispute. The CCC is currently split into three distinct formations, led by Jameson Timba, Welshman Ncube, and Sengezo Tshabangu. Both the Timba and Ncube factions have denied receiving any state funding, despite official confirmation of the disbursement.
Justice Ministry Secretary Vimbai Nyemba confirmed that payments were made to both Zanu-PF and the CCC in September. “I cannot specify which CCC faction received the funds, but the money was disbursed to the recognized entity,” Nyemba stated.
The Timba-led faction previously sought a legal interdict to prevent the government from releasing funds to any rival group, asserting their status as the legitimate CCC. Jameson Timba maintained that no disbursement should occur while the matter is pending before the courts, noting that the responsible minister is legally obligated to provide reasons for denying a party’s financial claims.
Similarly, Willias Madzimure, spokesperson for the Ncube-led CCC, stated he was unaware of any financial allocations being made to their formation.
As the debate over the 2035 election suspension plan unfolds, it underscores the deepening complexities within Zimbabwe’s political arena, pitting factional maneuvering against the public’s enduring demand for constitutional democracy.
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