The opposition boycotted by-elections in Mount Pleasant and Harare East constituencies, allowing Zanu PF to gain two more parliamentary seats.
However, observers argue that the ‘main’ opposition party the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) failed to differentiate between internal party politics and national politics, resulting in a shrinking democratic space.
The two independent candidates who ran in the two constituencies were also unable to mount a credible challenge to the two Zanu PF candidates.
Zanu PF’s George Mashavave won in Mount Pleasant constituency while Kiven Mutimbanyoka won in Harare East constituency during the by-elections held on Saturday.
The vacancies occurred when Fadzayi Mahere, former MP for Mount Pleasant and Allan Norman ‘Rusty’ Markham, former MP for Harare East resigned from their seats in January after Nelson Chamisa resigned from CCC citing infiltration within the opposition.
While some observers claimed Sengezo Tshabangu, posing as the CCC secretary general, caused problems in the opposition by recalling elected officials from the council and Parliament, giving the ruling party an advantage, others contended that Mahere and Markham “literally donated” the two constituencies to Zanu-PF.
“It’s obvious they donated those seats to Zanu. I really don’t understand the logic of those two resigning. I really don’t. The internal CCC political and power dynamics should have been divorced from national politics,”said political analyst, Future Msebele in an interview with CITE.
Patrick Ndlovu agreed the two MPs had possibly misfired because the leader they were following had made no notable political announcements since his resignation.
“Those seats were not defended so this is why there is an outcry that they were donated. We saw a blue movement touted online but Chamisa is yet to commit himself to it. People should really ask themselves if they see a viable opposition in Zimbabwe, an opposition that is principled, well organised and funded to pursue the ruling party,” he said and questioned why the different CCC formations had not fielded a candidate.
“Tshabangu insisted he was the SG then there is (Professor) Welshman Ncube who also emerged as one of the rotational leaders but all failed to field candidates unless they saw the by-elections as a waste of resources.”
However, Msebele suggested that Chamisa will likely begin his political campaign two or three years before 2028 to avoid sabotage.
“He wants to create a wave and momentum before elections. If Chamisa goes out right now, infiltration and sabotage will be the order of the day. By the time we get to 2028 a lot of cracks would have developed. He knows that most people care about getting to Parliament nothing else, so it makes political sense to hold it for a year or two,” Msebele said.
On the other hand, Ndlovu also warned the CCC that if it did not reform, it may lose relevance by the 2028 elections.
“Perhaps this is why the opposition is pushing for an election postponement,” he said.
A debate on the failure of the position to win the Mount Pleasant and Harare East seats also played out on social media, with Bulawayo mayor David Coltart forced to apologise after stating: “These seats went to Zanu because two distinguished MPs resigned of their own accord. Whilst of course Tshabangu was a contributing factor, democrats handed these seats to Zanu PF on a platter.”
In his apology, Coltart said his comments were borne from deep sadness, concern and regret that neither Mahere and Markaham were still in Parliament.
“Both are amongst the finest Parliamentarians in Zimbabwe and our Nation is all the poorer not having them there. However my comments were interpreted as an attack on them and for that I apologise unreservedly,” Coltart said.
“Whilst I disagree with the policy of withdrawing from hard-won spaces in general, I shouldn’t by inference have criticised them in particular. I stress that I understand why they took their decision and my respect for them both remains undiminished.”
Coltart maintained his opinion was that the opposition needed to “hold on to whatever opportunities and positions they had acquired through hard struggle over decades to expose Zanu PF’s treachery.”
Other online participants disagreed with him saying Mahere and Markham resigned from Parliament out of principle as they could not sit in the same Parliament with “a host of other illegal MPs.”
In response, Mahere said it was insincere for people to claim they had resigned for selfish reasons.
“Are you forgetting that each time we took the system on in Parliament we were silenced, removed from parliament by armed riot police and suspended? Are you aware that they’ll only let you speak on matters that don’t offend them? Why should Zanu PF dictate who sits in Parliament? Why should they prescribe what we can and cannot say? Why should those chosen by the people be banned?” Mahere questioned in part.
The former MP also asked in what way the current configuration of Parliament is still a legitimate voice of the people.
“Why is Tshabangu in Parliament? Why should Tshabangu have the power to whip MPs and dictate policy positions in Parliament when he openly works with Zanu PF? Is that what the people voted for?” Mahere alleged.
“The brazen assault on our democracy and the complete disregard for the will of the people is what calls for urgent introspection.”
