The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) is alleging that two of its councillors, Ian Makone and Lovejoy Chitengu, were recalled by the ruling party, ZANU PF, with the assistance of imposters within the CCC. The recalls were orchestrated by Sengezo Tshabangu, who claims to be the CCC’s interim secretary general. However, senior party leaders, including Nelson Chamisa, dispute Tshabangu’s claims stating that the secretary general position does not exist. They believe Tshabangu is colluding with ZANU PF to weaken the CCC and remove elected officials aligned with Chamisa.
Tshabangu has denied these allegations, asserting that the recalled individuals had ceased to be members of the party and were imposed on the electorate by Chamisa during the August 2023 general election. He also dared recalled MPs to <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/10/22/prove-i-am-not-ccc-interim-secretary-general-tshabangu-dares-recalled-mps/">prove that he was not the party’s interim secretary general.</a> He claims to have an <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/12/22/tshabangu-declares-chamisa-is-not-allowed-to-use-his-face-outside-ccc-even-if-he-forms-a-new-party/">affidavit which proves that he was appointed the interim secretary general</a> of the party. In a statement seen by Pindula News, the CCC party said:
<blockquote>
Zanu PF and its imposters, who show no regard for the will of the citizens and their struggles under the Harare regime, unlawfully recalled Councilors Ian Makone and Lovejoy Chitengu. This was done because they had been elected as mayors of the city of Harare.
</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/11/09/ccc-says-recall-of-harare-mayor-ian-makone-city-councillors-invalid/">The recall of Makone</a> and <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/12/14/tshabangu-recalls-harare-mayor-lovejoy-chitengu/">Chitengu</a> has resulted in Jacob Mafume, a member of the CCC, being elected as the new mayor of Harare. But the party did not congratulate him suggesting its disapproval of Mafume’s election. Some CCC officials claim that Mafume has been collaborating with Tshabangu to destabilize the party. They allege that since Tshabangu and Mafume previously worked together in the Tendai Biti-led PDP party before it merged with other parties to form the MDC Alliance, Tshabangu is recalling CCC officials in an endeavour to reinstate former PDP members to influential positions within the CCC.
They say the alleged alliance between Tshabangu and ZANU PF will result in the ruling party gaining a majority in Parliament and influence in local government authorities. Tshabangu has denied all of these allegations.
Divisions within the CCC began before the August elections when the party implemented a <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/11/11/biti-speaks-on-strategic-ambiguity-recalls-and-failure-to-be-in-parliament/">strategy called “strategic ambiguity”</a>, which <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/11/22/ccc-constitution-proves-that-has-never-been-the-interim-secretary-general-lawyer/">concentrated power in the hands of Nelson Chamisa</a>, the party’s president. This strategy faced opposition from some senior party officials such as Tendai Biti, Welshman Ncube, and Chalton Hwende. The party claimed that this strategy was adopted to prevent infiltration by ZANU PF and security service agents.
In response to a follower’s comment about sellouts within the CCC, Chamisa stated that they deliberately delayed allocating positions to sift out the greedy individuals. He expressed a desire for genuine and committed members, adding that the power-hungry will be exposed in the long run. He said:
<blockquote>
Regai (nyoka) dzibude pachena, tisvike takachena! Ndizvo muchiona takanonoka kuti tipanane zvigaro. Taida venyota yesimba nemakaro ezvigaro vabude pachena. Masiriri anonetsa kuchengetedza unoona pasi patota nehavi!!! 
</blockquote>
The only publicly known positions within the party are President and Spokesperson. Biti and Ncube used to hold interim vice president positions, but it appears that these positions were abolished before the elections. Chalton Hwende served as the secretary general, but that position was also abolished.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Pindula News

ZANU PF And Its Imposters Recalled Councilors Makone And Chitengu - CCC

Jacob Mafume has bounced back as Harare Mayor after defeating Elvis Ruzani by a vote of 22 to 15. Mafume, a lawyer by profession, was mayor between 2018 and 2023 and was replaced by Ian Makone following the 23-24 August 2023 harmonised elections.
The post of mayor became vacant when Lovejoy Chitengu, who was elected as councillor for Ward 36 in the August 2023 general elections, was recalled by Tshabangu. Chitengu had replaced Ian Makone, who was also recalled in November. Chitengu was spared from that recall due to a spelling error in his name but Tshabangu ordered another recall.
Tshabangu argues that the recalls were necessary because the targeted CCC representatives were imposed by party leader Nelson Chamisa during the party’s controversial candidate selection process. Some political observers believe that Chamisa used a different candidate selection process to eliminate opponents and favour loyalists. Others see the recalls as an attempt by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to weaken the opposition.
Mafume’s return as mayor marks a significant shift in the leadership of Harare. However, the frequent changes in mayors and the internal conflicts within the CCC raise concerns about stability and effective governance. Mafume is Harare’s fourth mayor in just four months.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Jacob Mafume Bounces Back As Harare Mayor

Tendai Biti, the vice president of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), accused party president Nelson Chamisa of creating fake social media accounts to attack him.
This comes after a parody account linked him to Sengezo Tshabangu, the self-proclaimed interim secretary-general. There are allegations of internal division within the opposition party, with some senior officials including Biti, Welshman Ncube, and Chalton Hwende being accused of being “sell-outs.”
Biti spoke exclusively to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200020183/biti-in-rare-chamisa-attack">NewsDay</a> after a post by a parody account in Sengezo Tshabangu’s name claimed that he and Tshabangu had met to discuss important matters concerning the party. The former Finance Minister is quoted as saying:
<blockquote>
I’m not interested. That account must be parody account that was created by Chamisa and his team. Just check it. I have not met Tshabangu and let me repeat that I am not interested.
</blockquote>
Biti also told <a href="https://x.com/NewsHawksLive/status/1729125438457307172?s=20">The NewsHawks</a> that he hasn’t met Tshabangu in a long time and has not had a meal at Monomotapa Hotel in 20 years. Said Biti:
<blockquote>
That’s false and malicious. I haven’t seen Tshabangu for a long time and haven’t eaten at Crowne Plaza for 20 years now!
</blockquote>
Biti reiterated that he has nothing to do with the issue of recalls which have resulted in the expulsion of scores of CCC elected representatives in parliament and municipalities.
The tweet by the parody account claimed that Tshabangu had met Biti at a top hotel in Harare. The account claimed:
<blockquote>
Just after my interview on ZBC, I had dinner with one of our decorated change champions and learned man Hon Biti at Crowne Plaza, as he is a victim of dictatorship, we deliberated on pertinent issues that will add value to our struggle for democracy, transparency and constitutionalism.
</blockquote>
Tshabangu’s spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni also disowned the account saying it was fake. Phugeni said:
<blockquote>
I would think it’s a fake account.
</blockquote>
The recent development occurred when Harare councillor Denford Ngadziore prevented former mayor Jacob Mafume from attending a councillors’ caucus meeting at the Town House. This happened before the election of Lovejoy Chitengu as mayor, following the recall of Ian Makone by Sengezo Tshabangu.
Mafume who is considered Biti’s ally is reportedly concerned for his safety after receiving threats. He stated that he did nothing wrong and expressed regret over the events that took place during the caucus meetings. Mafume added:
<blockquote>
We are ready for service delivery of the residents and council if asked to do so. So, my conscience is clear even during the period when l was mayor.
I wronged no one except those who want to take Harare. What happened at caucus meeting stays at the caucus meeting.
</blockquote>
According to reports, Eric Murai, the provincial taskforce chairperson for Harare, and Matsunga Machuma forced their way into the chambers to ensure that councillors voted as directed by Nelson Chamisa. Murai and Machuma allegedly asked the councillors to show their ballots before casting their votes. When asked for comment, Denford Ngadziore could not confirm or deny the scuffle that took place. He spoke to NewsDay:
<blockquote>
l do not want to comment because it was an internal issue.
</blockquote>
Chitengu stated that he cannot comment on the matter at this time.
The divisions within the party became apparent just before the August 2023 elections when there were accusations that Chamisa was imposing candidates in certain areas. These divisions became more noticeable after the elections when Sengezo Tshabangu began recalling CCC Parliamentarians and councillors whom he believed were imposed on the voters and were no longer party members. Some party leaders, including Chamisa, suspect that Tshabangu is not acting alone, leading to speculation that Biti may be involved due to his opposition to Chamisa’s strategies.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Biti Accuses Chamisa Of Creating A Parody Account To Attack Him

Harare Mayor, Cllr Lovejoy Chitengu assured residents that the tap water in the city is safe to drink, adding that it has been passed fit for consumption by experts.
Chitengu made the remarks after touring Morton Jaffray waterworks on Saturday where he “demonstrated” that tap water is indeed safe by drinking from a tap nearby. He said:
<blockquote>
Our water is clean as you can see, there is nothing wrong with it. So, we are encouraging residents to drink water from the taps because it is clean and has been approved by experts as fit for consumption.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the Government has said Harare’s water supply has improved significantly over the last few weeks.
This follows interventions by a technical committee set up by the Government last month to address the severe supply challenges facing the capital.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/harare-water-supplies-improve">The Sunday Mail</a>, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development chief director (water resources and irrigation development) Tinayeshe Mutazu said:
<blockquote>
The government took steps to intervene very quickly to avert total disaster, primarily a cholera outbreak, which was knocking on the city’s doors.
Treasury has provided financial resources to the tune of US$1.2 million. The City of Harare will draw down directly from Treasury.
Treasury is providing that funding through direct payments to service providers.
</blockquote>
He said the Government has since disbursed about US$1.2 million for the procurement of water treatment chemicals which is being paid directly to suppliers. Said Mutazu:
<blockquote>
The team has made progress, the first achievement being that they have managed to arrest the deterioration of water supply.
Supply was almost coming down to zero, to a point where the city could not provide any water.
This was not because there was no water in the dams, but because they could not pump untreated water into the city.

So, we moved from a point where daily supply was hovering around 150 mega litres to the current 350 mega litres.
But the desire is to get to above 520 mega litres per day, which is the current installed capacity.
</blockquote>
Harare’s water crisis has been worsened by frequent power outages at Morton Jaffray waterworks.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Harare Mayor Urges Residents To Drink Tap Water

Newly-elected Harare mayor Ward 36 Councillor Lovejoy Chitengu (CCC) has voiced his support for the party’s leader Nelson Chamisa, in his acceptance speech.
Chitengu’s name was on the list of Sengezo Tshabangu’s 07 November 2023 recall letter to Local Government Minister Winston Chitando.
However, he was spared the axe because the recall letter had an anomaly omitting the letter “n” on his surname.
Cllr Chitengu had 35 votes while Cllr Temany Utete had seven while spoiled votes were three.
Cllr Rosemary Muronda won the deputy mayoral post with 38 votes while her contender Cllr Susan Chuma (proportional representation) had seven.
<blockquote>
Below is the new Mayor of Harare’s acceptance speech:
Fellow Councillors, Town Clerk, Harare residents, Ladies and Gentlemen, I have had to think long and hard to find the right words to express both my sadness and relief, that this chamber has taken a most unusual step, to replace two people who we know should be occupying their respective positions as servants of the residents.
It is a sad moment because Cllr Makone, Cllr Kadzombe and the other recalled councillors are such hard workers who have made their mark over the period of their term, cut short by these recalls.
It is sad that this is happening, not because they have done anything wrong but for being precisely the opposite.
The relief we can derive is from the assurances they have given, that they will remain available for consultation on a wide range of decisions that Council must take.
More than that, I look forward to their return to this chamber, either as a result of the court decision or the ballot within the next 90 days.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I ask you to understand that the majority party in this chamber, CCC, which is led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa, weighed the injustice caused by the unnecessary recall of our colleagues, against the loftier goal of serving the residents of this great city.
The party decided to remain consistent with its principle of putting citizens at the centre of all its decisions.
A leadership vacuum in the city would not serve the interests of residents, hence the decision to quickly plug the holes emanating from the unnecessary recalls.
Ladies and Gentleman the decision that you have just taken, so soon after the recall of eight of our colleagues, is in recognition of the fight we face against current challenges, especially that of cholera.
The need for Council to remain focused on its transformative agenda towards a smart city that works for everyone must remain at the forefront of our actions. We must not take this trust for granted as we navigate in these turbulent waters.
I wish to assure our electors and stakeholders that whatever happens to one or any of us, this Council is committed to improving the quality of services rendered to the communities in which we live.
I also wish to assure our electors and stakeholders that, whether it be by decision of the court or the voters in the next 90 days, this chamber waits in anticipation for the return of its recalled colleagues.
In closing, allow me to thank the majority party in the City of Harare, CCC, which is led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa, and you my colleagues for trusting me with the stewardship of this Council in the period ahead.
I thank you.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/11/18/president-mnangagwa-reverses-the-appointment-of-general-valerio-sibanda-to-zanu-pf-politburo/">Pindula News</a>

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