Tshabangu, Phulu confirmed as senators

Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor

THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has confirmed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim secretary- general Mr Sengezo Tshabangu as duly elected to represent the party as a Senator under Matabeleland North Province.

Other CCC members who have been confirmed as senators include Kucaca Phulu, Lilian Mlilo, Linda Sibanda and Collet Ndhlovu all from Bulawayo. Maxwell Mdhluri comes in for Manicaland while Sam Chapfudza fills in the Masvingo vacancy. In Matabeleland North, Tshabangu, Teresa Kabondo and Grace Mampande complete the senatorial list.

According to the Government gazette’s general notice 291 of 2024, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) chairperson, Justice Priscilla Chigumba confirmed the list of the new senators.

“The public is hereby notified, in terms of section 39(7)(a) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:131), that the persons specified in the schedule below, who were nominated by the CCC party to fill the vacancies in the Senate by virtue of section 120(1)(a) of the Constitution that occurred following the recall of incumbent members, have been appointed as senators with effect from the date of publication of this notice,” reads the notice.

The gazette also confirmed the list that will fill proportional representation vacancies in the National Assembly and these include Nomvula Mguni, Otilia Sibanda, Lungile Ncube and Sikhuphukile Dube all from Bulawayo. Sibongile Maphosa will fill the same vacancy for Matabeleland South Province.

The confirmations followed by-elections held on 3 February, after CCC recalled a number of MPs, senators and councillors for the second time. 

Last month, ZEC had published the list advising that if anyone wished to object to the then nomination, they should lodge this in writing within a period of 14 days from the date of publication of the notice, setting forth the reasons for the objection.

However, since the publication of the list, the party has been embroiled in internal turmoil with some of the party’s members accusing Tshabangu and Phulu of sidelining them, but no formal complaint was made to ZEC.