ZIMBABWE’S OPPOSITION FACES A NEW BATTLE AS RECALL CONTROVERSY UNFOLDS

In the world of Zimbabwean politics, the opposition is facing a new and troubling challenge. Opposition activist Sengezo Tshabangu and his group, who have ties to state security, are accused of trying to weaken the opposition party, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). They did this by recalling Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators. Many people believe this is a plan to make the opposition weaker, so they cannot stand up to the ruling party, ZANU-PF.

The biggest problem is about the timing of these recalls. Tshabangu’s group says that they did nothing wrong because the letters that started the recalls were written on November 10, 2023. This was before a court order stopped them. But the problem is, these recalls only became official much later, after the court order was already in place. This has made people think that Tshabangu and his group are ignoring the law and acting in their own interest.

In Zimbabwe, recalling MPs and Senators is not something that can be done quickly or without following the rules. It must be done through legal and political channels, and it must go through Parliament and other institutions. It should not be done by individuals who want to use it to get more power. However, this is what seems to be happening now. Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda and others are accused of going ahead with the recalls, even though the court had told them not to.

This was made clear when Mudenda’s lawyer, Shingirai Hoko, who was acting under instructions from High Court Justice Tawanda Chitapi, warned them not to go ahead with the recalls. The court is still supposed to decide on the matter on November 20. The opposition CCC made an urgent application to the court, asking them to stop the recalls. This application names Tshabangu, Mudenda, Senate President Mabel Chinomona, and Local Government minister Winston Chitando. Interestingly, Chitando did not go to court because no councillors were recalled.

The case, which involves lawyers Obey Shava for CCC and Lewis Uriri for Tshabangu, is seen as an important moment for Zimbabwe’s politics. The recall affected 18 MPs, a big number in a country where Parliament is very important. What happens next could change the balance of power in the country and affect the rule of law.

The main issue is that Tshabangu and his group seem to have ignored the court’s order. They sent out recall letters on November 10 but only made them official after the court had told them not to. This looks like a clear case of disrespect for the law. By doing this, Tshabangu and his group are not only ignoring the court, but they are also putting Zimbabwe’s democratic system in danger.

As the people of Zimbabwe wait to see what the court will say, it is clear that this situation is putting a lot of pressure on the country’s democracy. The actions of Tshabangu and his group, whether they were done for personal reasons or to gain political power, have raised serious questions about the commitment to the rule of law in Zimbabwe. Many people worry that this could make it harder for the opposition to fight for a fair and democratic system.

In conclusion, the controversy over the recalls has thrown Zimbabwe’s political system into confusion. The court hearing on November 20 will be a key moment in deciding the future of the opposition and the rule of law. The country is watching closely to see what happens next, as this case could have serious consequences for Zimbabwe’s democracy and the balance of power in Parliament. Everyone is waiting to see if the rule of law will be upheld or if this is just another chapter in the struggle for political power in Zimbabwe.