Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
THE Sengezo Tshabangu-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has initiated a provincial structural consolidation exercise in Mashonaland West as it reorganises its structures in preparation for a national congress that will elect a substantive leader.
The party is being led by its principal, Sen Tshabangu. Party members from across the province gathered in Chinhoyi on March 7 for the consolidation process, which was attended by senior officials including national organising secretary Mr Fransis Badzarigere and national youth chairperson Mr Tichaona Mungwariri, where they also endorsed the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Number (3) Bill.
Addressing party members, Mr Badzarigere highlighted that the meeting was not an elective congress but a process designed to strengthen and fill vacant positions within the party structures.
“This gathering is not a congress to elect a president. It is a consolidation exercise meant to close gaps in our structures and ensure that all wings of the party are fully functional,” said Mr Badzarigere.
He announced that the exercise would result in ten positions being filled in each of the party’s wings, namely the main board, the women’s league, and the youth assembly.
“We are filling 10 positions from each wing so that by the end of this process, the party structures will be complete and ready for the next stage,” he said.
Mr Badzarigere warned members against internal competition for positions, emphasising that leadership roles belonged to the party rather than individuals.
“Let us not jostle for positions because these positions are not personal property. They are assets of the party, and they exist to serve the organisation and its supporters,” he stated.
He also urged those elected into various posts to ensure that party information from headquarters is disseminated widely among members.
“Those who hold positions must make sure information from the party headquarters reaches every member. Structures only work when communication flows properly,” he said.
Mr Badzarigere further clarified the party’s leadership structure, stating that the position currently held by Senator Sengezo Tshabangu is that of principal, which he described as the most senior position within the party at present.
“Our principal, Senator Tshabangu, is not the president of the party. The principal post is currently the most senior position in CCC, similar to what happened during the era of Morgan Tsvangirai when he served as a principal,” he explained.
Mr Badzarigere indicated that the party expects all vacant positions within the provincial structures to be filled by the end of the month.
“By month-end, all outstanding posts must be filled. After consolidating our structures, we will then move towards congress where a party president will be chosen,” he said.
“That allows us to restore order and dignity within the party.”
The national organising secretary also mentioned that the party remained open to engaging other political actors if their ideas contribute to strengthening the organisation adding that their party was in support of the Constitution Amendment Bill Number 3.
“We are engaging all stakeholders as long as their ideas are meant for the good of the party,” he said.
Meanwhile, the party’s principal, Senator Tshabangu, has expressed support for Zimbabwe’s proposed Constitution Amendment Bill Number 3, which seeks to extend the presidential term from five years to seven years, among other constitutional changes.
In Mashonaland West, the interim provincial leadership includes Senator Bvumo as interim chairperson, Karoi Mayor Kudakwashe Chigumo as vice chairperson, and Sylvester Zwambila as provincial secretary.
