In a dramatic shift, Sengezo Tshabangu, the interim secretary general of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and leader of the opposition in Parliament, has declared that his party will oppose President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s bid to extend his rule beyond the constitutional two-term limit.
This stance was made clear through a statement issued by his spokesperson, Nqobizitha Mlilo, after Tshabangu’s meeting with Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda.
The announcement comes just weeks after Tshabangu publicly endorsed Mnangagwa’s potential third term during a visit to the president’s Precabe farm at Sherwood, a move that sparked widespread criticism and accusations of ideological bankruptcy within Zimbabwe’s opposition.
Tshabangu’s earlier endorsement had drawn sharp rebukes from political analysts and opposition supporters, who argued that it reflected a troubling alignment with Zanu PF’s style of governance and a lack of clear ideological direction within the CCC.
Critics accused the opposition of mimicking the ruling party’s tactics of political exploitation, further polarising an already fractured political landscape.
However, in a statement released by Mlilo, Tshabangu has now taken a firm stance against the proposed third term, describing it as “repulsive and repugnant” and inconsistent with Zimbabwe’s national aspirations.
“The recurring question: will the CCC support calls for President Mnangagwa’s third term? Framed this way, it’s a pointless discussion. 2028 postponement of elections, or 2030 agenda, if it’s the same thing, as we have said before, can not be an end in itself. 2028 postponement of elections and or 2030 agenda cannot be indivualised to the extent of messianic redemption of a country by an individual,” Mlilo said.
“We have said the so-called 2030 agenda and the postponement of 2028 elections are matters which have not been presented in any lawful forum of the management of our common state affairs. It is internal to Zanu PF.”
Mlilo said that while Zanu PF’s pronouncements often assume the character of state policy due to the party’s dominance, the CCC remains committed to upholding the constitutional order and opposing any attempts to undermine it.
“But because Zanu PF is the ruling party in a context of toxic polarised politics, their pronouncements inadvertently assume the character of government or state policy even when they are not. We may then be compelled by the weight of circumstances to, albeit proactively, address those pronouncements,” he said.
According to Mlilo, Tshabangu has already taken steps to formalise the CCC’s opposition to the third term bid, cementing the opposition leader’s meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly.
“Senator Tshabangu met with the Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda and conveyed our position that the idea of a third term is as repulsive and repugnant as it is inconsistent with our national aspirations. It is unnecessarily divisive. We will oppose it. We suggested that the idea should be abandoned so as not to cause unnecessary national disharmony,” Mlilo said.
When asked about the potential consequences of the proposed third term and election postponement on Zimbabwe’s political landscape, Mlilo said, “Senator Tshabangu has already met with the Speaker of Parliament and conveyed our position that CCC will oppose the third term.”
He added: “Because the issue has not been presented in Parliament, this was a proactive move. As we have said, the issue is unnecessarily divisive. Senator Tshabangu took that step of speaking to the Speaker of Parliament to proactively address the issue.”
The alleged third-term bid by Mnangagwa has sparked widespread concern, with critics warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for Zimbabwe’s democracy.
Tshabangu’s reversal has also raised questions about the CCC’s internal dynamics and its commitment to principled opposition.
Some critics argue the initial endorsement of Mnangagwa’s third term bid exposed the party’s lack of ideological clarity, while others view the recent opposition as a calculated move to regain public trust.
Political analyst, Dr Vusumuzi Sibanda commented, “The CCC’s initial endorsement of Mnangagwa’s third term was a misstep that revealed deep-seated issues within the opposition. While their current stance is commendable, it remains to be seen whether this is a genuine shift or merely political maneuvering.”
Dr Sibanda added that the CCC’s ability to maintain a consistent and principled opposition will be critical in shaping the country’s political future.
“Let’s hope Tshabangu and his party have drawn a line in the sand and will oppose any attempts to extend Mnangagwa’s rule beyond the constitutional limit,” he said.
Tshabangu’s spokesperson also acknowledged that the party “ remain focused on nation-building and national consensus on things which matter to Zimbabweans”
“This way, we preserve our constitutional architecture,” Mlilo said.