Lessons from the Sengezo Tshabangu Saga:

Protecting Zimbabwe’s Opposition from Sabotage;

by Michelle Mudzviti

The recent saga involving Sengezo Tshabangu’s hijacking of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that Zimbabwe’s opposition parties face. Tshabangu, an individual with questionable authority, managed to destabilize the CCC by recalling several elected officials, causing widespread confusion and frustration among supporters. More alarmingly, his actions appeared to align closely with the interests of ZANU-PF, raising questions about state-sponsored interference in opposition politics. 

This incident has highlighted the urgent need for the CCC and other opposition parties to fortify themselves against similar disruptions in the future. To ensure a robust and sustainable democratic movement, it is crucial to understand how this situation unfolded and what measures can be taken to prevent a recurrence.

How the Hijacking Happened

1. Lack of Institutionalization

The CCC’s informal structure has been both its strength and its weakness. Operating as a movement rather than a formal political party allowed it to grow rapidly and galvanize support. However, this lack of formalization created a vulnerability. Without a constitution, clear leadership roles, and codified processes, the party was susceptible to infiltration and manipulation. The absence of a solid framework allowed unauthorized individuals to claim authority or act as spokespersons without clear accountability. This enabled Tshabangu to claim authority and act unilaterally, with little room for immediate rebuttal.

2. Leadership Transitions and Personality Politics

The departure of Nelson Chamisa from the CCC added to the instability within the party. Chamisa’s leadership had been a unifying force, and his absence created a vacuum that individuals like Tshabangu could exploit. Zimbabwe’s political culture, which often centers around strong personalities rather than ideologies or institutional frameworks, exacerbated the situation. This over-reliance on individual leaders rather than collective governance left the CCC vulnerable to manipulation and factionalism. Chamisa’s exit highlighted the risks of building movements around personalities instead of robust ideological foundations and institutional integrity.

3. State-Sponsored Sabotage

The ZANU-PF regime has a long history of undermining opposition movements through infiltration, propaganda, and creating parallel structures. Tshabangu’s actions - including the recalling of CCC MPs and councilors - bear the hallmarks of a coordinated effort to destabilize the party from within. Zimbabwe’s judiciary and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), both widely regarded as aligned with ZANU-PF, lent credibility to Tshabangu’s claims, further complicating the CCC’s efforts to counter his maneuvers.

4. Weak Electoral and Legal Frameworks

The political and legal environment in Zimbabwe heavily favors ZANU-PF. Institutions like the ZEC and the judiciary have often been accused of bias, making it difficult for opposition parties to navigate challenges legally. Tshabangu’s ability to recall officials without facing significant legal obstacles underscores the systemic hurdles the CCC faces in seeking redress.

5. Internal Weaknesses

While external factors played a significant role, the CCC’s internal weaknesses cannot be ignored. The CCC leadership may have underestimated the need for robust internal controls and the threat of internal betrayal.

The absence of comprehensive vetting processes and internal security measures allowed Tshabangu to exploit the party’s vulnerabilities. Additionally, a lack of proactive crisis management mechanisms left the party scrambling to respond to his actions.

How to Prevent a Recurrence

1. Formalize Party Structures

To safeguard its future, the CCC must transition from being a movement to a formal political party with a constitution, clearly defined leadership roles, and transparent decision-making processes. Clear membership protocols and a registry will make it harder for unauthorized individuals to claim leadership roles.

2. Decentralising Leadership

Over-centralized leadership creates vulnerabilities by placing too much power and responsibility in the hands of a few individuals. Implement systems where decisions are made collaboratively by leadership councils, reducing the risk of unilateral actions by any one leader. This ensures that the party remains functional and responsive, even in the absence of top leaders. Empower provincial and district-level leaders to reduce over-reliance on a single individual, thereby making the party less vulnerable to targeted manipulation. 

Decentralizing leadership will also create a buffer against targeted attacks, as infiltrators will find it harder to destabilize a party with multiple centres of influence.

3. Build Alliances

Unity among opposition forces is crucial to countering ZANU-PF’s divide-and-rule tactics. A united opposition is harder to infiltrate and destabilize. The CCC should foster a culture of collaboration to present a unified front against ZANU-PF’s tactics. They should consider forming coalitions with other opposition parties and civil society organizations, instead of only seeking to consolidate power and be known as the leaders of opposition politics in Zimbabwe.

You can read the full article here: Substack Mirror Article

The Sengezo Tshabangu saga is a sobering reminder of the challenges that Zimbabwe’s opposition faces in a hostile political environment. However, it also provides an opportunity for reflection and growth. The path to a democratic Zimbabwe is fraught with challenges, but with strategic planning and unwavering commitment, the opposition can protect itself from future sabotage and continue to fight for meaningful change.