According to Sengezo Tshabangu, politicians from Harare and or Mashonaland do not entertain the idea of a united Matabeleland as they view it as a security threat. He claims to have seen this in the ruling ZANU PF and experienced this under the leadership of Morgan Tsvangirai, the late founding leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). He told Zenzele Ndebele during an interview:
<blockquote>
There is nobody from that end who wants a united Matabeleland. A united Matabeleland is a security threat. A united Matabeleland gives them sleepless nights. A united Matabeleland is a threat to the establishment itself. It is now being transmitted to the opposition politics. I don’t think President Emmerson Mnangagwa would want a united Matabeleland. Morgan Tsvangirai was never at one given time at ease with a united Matabeleland so is Nelson Chamisa, he is scared of a united Matabeleland.
</blockquote>
This neglect of Matabeleland provinces by political elites is not a new issue. It is often alleged that these regions are only considered during election periods. Political analysts often say the ruling party, ZANU PF, is particularly fearful of a united Matabeleland due to the historical event known as Gukurahundi. This violent period occurred after independence when former President Robert Mugabe deployed the 5th Brigade to suppress alleged dissidents in Matabeleland and Midlands. Thousands of people were killed, and the wounds from this tragedy remain unhealed.
Tensions between Mashonaland and Matabeleland can be traced back to the pre-colonial era when Ndebele Kings raided Mashonaland for resources. Some believe that the Shona-speaking political elites still harbour concerns about a united Matabeleland due to this historical context. There are fears that a united Matabeleland could lead to secession and potentially result in civil wars similar to those experienced after independence.
Sengezo Tshabangu’s remarks come as Zimbabwe commemorates Unity Day on 22 December. Unity Day marks the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987, which ended the civil war between ZANU-PF led by Robert Mugabe and the Joshua Nkomo-led PF-ZAPU. However, concerns persist regarding the economic neglect of Matabeleland, particularly in Bulawayo, which used to be the country’s industrial hub. This economic disparity raises questions about the true unity and development opportunities for all regions in Zimbabwe.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Pindula News

A United Matabeleland Is Seen As A Security Threat - Tshabangu

The recalled Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members have approached the Supreme Court to overturn a High Court decision that dismissed their request to be reinstated.
The lawmakers were recalled by <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Sengezo_Tshabangu">Sengezo Tshabangu</a>, who claimed to be the party’s interim Secretary General, last month.
In dismissing the application, High Court Justice Munamato Mutevedzi said the CCC members’ application failed to prove that Tshabangu was an imposter.
<a href="https://cite.org.zw/recalled-ccc-members-appeal-to-supreme-court/">CITE</a> reported that the CCC members have gone to the Supreme Court to have their recall overturned.
The recalled MPs also filed their election nomination papers on Tuesday, 07 December, indicating they will run in the 09 December by-election.
Meanwhile, Tshabangu, who also fielded parallel CCC candidates for the by-election, hinted at going to court to challenge the fielding of candidates he recalled.
In a Notice of Appeal dated 06 November 2023, the 14 recalled CCC MPs stated:
<blockquote>
Take Notice that the Appellants, hereby appeal against the whole, final and definitive judgment of the High Court sitting at Harare (per Mutevedzi J) on the 4th of November 2023 under Judgment number HH601/23 and case number HCH6649/23 wherein the High Court dismissed an application for declaration of rights and consequential relief.
</blockquote>
The recalled MPs cited Tshabangu as the first respondent, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda as the second respondent, and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) as the third respondent.
The CCC members seek the following relief:
<blockquote>
1. That the Appeal be allowed with costs to be borne by Tshabangu.
2. That the judgment of the court a quo be set aside and the following be substituted in place thereof:
a. The application succeeds with costs on a legal practitioner and own client scale against Tshabangu
b. It be declared that Tshabangu had no right or authority to write letters to the Speaker of the National Assembly, recalling the CCC members from the National Assembly.
c. It be declared that the recall of CCC MPs from the National Assembly by Tshabangu was illegal, null and void and of no force and effect.
d. The applicants be deemed to be still MPs duly elected as such on a CCC Political Party ticket.
e. Tshabangu and all those claiming or acting through him or on his behalf be and are hereby interdicted from interfering with the CCC members’ duties as MPs
f. Tshabangu be interdicted and restrained from effecting any further recalls.
</blockquote>
In a post on X, CCC deputy spokesperson Gift Siziva said the effect of the appeal is that it suspends the decision of the High Court. He wrote:
<blockquote>
We have noted an appeal in the Supreme Court against the High Court ruling on the fraudulent recall of the people’s representatives. The effect of the appeal is that it suspends the decision of the High Court.
Our position remains unchanged and unwavering. Sengeso Tshabangu is neither our member nor Interim Sec General because such a position does not exist in our movement.
</blockquote>
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