President Emmerson Mnangagwa has proclaimed dates of by-elections for nine constituencies following the recall of legislators of the Citizens Coalition for Change by Sengezo Tshabangu, who claims to be the secretary general of the opposition party led by Nelson Chamisa.
According to the state-controlled Herald newspaper, the by-elections will be held on December 9 while the Nomination Court will be held on November 7.
Tshabangu, who has been attacked by CCC as an imposter being allegedly used by the ruling party, recalled 15 legislators. Six of the lawmakers made it to parliament through proportional representation.
CCC is crying foul saying they had taken the matter to court but Mnangagwa disregarded that and made the proclamation of the by-election dates.
CCC deputy spokesperson Gift Ostallos Siziva said, “We totally disagree with what Mnangagwa has done. This matter is still in the court and we are very sure that he is the mastermind of all these recalls.”
Information secretary Nick Mangwana and Deputy Chief Secretary (Presidential Communications) George Charamba were unreachable for comment as they were not responding to calls on their mobile phones.
Communications director of the ruling Zanu PF party, Farai Marapira, said the president followed the law in proclaiming by-election dates.
“We know that CCC says they don’t know Tshabangu but apparently he is all over in public photos being circulated showing him with some top members of the party. They always deny the obvious.”
President Mnangagwa won the presidential election with 52.6% of the vote and Chamisa got 44%. The opposition questioned the presidential election results and declared it null and void.
The Southern African Development Community, European Union and African Union said the election fell short of regional and international standards.
The opposition is calling for fresh elections but Zanu PF says there won’t be any polls until 2028.
Our correspondent Mlondolozi Ndlovu also contributed to this article
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