Citizens Coalition for Change

Political party in Zimbabwe

Politics of Zimbabwe
Political parties
Elections

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) is a Zimbabwean political party. It was established by former members of the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance.^[14]^[15]

Background

Nelson Chamisa formed Citizens Coalition for Change after losing^[16] the squabbles over party name "MDC Alliance". The president of the CCC party presented yellow as the new color and raising the index finger as the new symbol.^[17] CCC has no constitution. A way to avoid being bound by its supremacy as it was in MDC. After forming the party, most MDC Alliance MPs and councilors who showed allegiance to Chamisa were recalled from parliament by Douglas Mwonzora, who took over MDC Alliance. This, together with some deaths of officials, called for by-elections in 28 seats which were conducted on 26 March 2022 in which the newly formed CCC won 19 and ZANU–PF won 9.^[18] It is worthy noting that ZANU-PF gained 9 more parliamentary seats since 2018. The rump MDC Alliance which Mwonzora headed did not win a seat. Weeks before the by-election saw some government-sponsored violence against CCC (including violence at CCC rally in Kwekwe which led to the death of a party supporter)^{[citation needed]}, unjustified behavior from the Zimbabwe Republic Police which include banning of CCC rallies, beating up of party supporters, arrests of CCC party officials (of note, Tendai Biti and Madzibaba Veshanduko), etc.^{[citation needed]}

2023 Recall of Members of Parliament

After forming the party in 2022, the interim leader Nelson Chamisa refused to craft an interim constitution and party structures. At its formation, the CCC party had the president of the CCC party Nelson Chamisa as the sole office holder. Taking advantage of this lack of organization (lack of interim constitution and party structures), a one Sengezo Tshabangu started claiming that he was the interim secretary general of the party. It has been suggested that he represents an agitated group old generation of MDC Alliance who were sidelined by Nelson Chamisa, most notably Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube who were VPs in the MDC Alliance. However, so far these suggestions have not been proven. Some have suggested that Tshabangu represents a shadowy group called FAZ that runs shady electorals tasks for the ruling ZANU–PF. However, this has also been a subject of conjecture. On 3 October 2022, Tshabangu wrote letters to the speaker of the parliament, president of the senate, and minister of local government recalling recalling MPs, senators and councillors who were elected on the CCC ticket. He submitted his own credentials and interim constitution to the parliament and ZEC, which essentially meant he was now the bona fide leader of the party. The letters were accepted and the MPs, senators and councillors were recalled. The recalled MPs, Senators and Councillors approached the high court of Zimbabwe claiming that Tshabangu was not a member of the CCC party moreso the secretary general. However, they couldn't provide any proof that Tshabangu was not the secretary general since the party has no constitution, party member list, or even minutes of their meetings. So in essence, Sengezo Tshabangu took control of the CCC party after the high court judgement. The recalled MPs, Senators and Councillors approached the supreme court of Zimbabwe, however their case is mot likely to be thrown out since they dont have proof that Sengezo Tshabangu is not the secretary general of the CCC party since the party had no interim constitution, party structures or minutes of their meetings. At the same time the CCC party has approached the high court interdicting Tshabangu from using its party name, symbols and claiming to be the secretary general, however their case will also be thrown out since they dont have proof that Sengezo Tshabangu is not the secretary general of the CCC party since the party had no interim constitution, party structures or minutes of their meetings. Instead Sengezo Tshabangu has submitted an interim constitution of the party which means he is now the bona fide leader of the party.

Chamisa resigned on 27 January 2024, he resigned, citing government interference that has "contaminated" and "hijacked" his party, the CCC.^[19]

Post Chamisa Era

After Nelson Chamisa resigned as party president and member of the CCC, other members who were loyal to him also left the party. Among the notable departures were Rusty Markham and Fadzayi Mahere.^[20] In February 2024 it was announced that Welshman Ncube will serve as interim party leader on a 90-day rotational arrangement with Tendai Biti and Lynette Karenyi-Kore until the party holds its elective congress.^[21]

Electoral history

Presidential elections

Election	Party candidate	Votes	Percentage	Votes	Percentage	Result
Election	Party candidate	First Round		Second Round		Result
2023	Nelson Chamisa	1,967,243	44.03%	—	—	Lost N

House of Assembly elections

Election	Party leader	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Position	Result
2022 (by-election)	Nelson Chamisa			19 / 28	19	1st	Opposition
2023		1,856,393	41.46	103 / 280	103	2nd	Opposition
2023 (by-election)				2 / 10	8
2024 (by-election)	Unknown			0 / 6	6

Senate elections

Election	Party leader	Seats	+/–	Position	Result
2023	Nelson Chamisa	27 / 80	27	2nd	Opposition

References

^ "Chamisa's ally throws tantrum over CCC new leadership".
^ "Timba led CCC faction issues chilling threat against MPS as opposition rift deepens". 20 February 2024.
^ "Zimbabwe: Chamisa Bemoans Zimbabwe's Extreme Poverty Levels". Retrieved 23 August 2023.
^ "Zimbabwe: Zim Elections - CCC Vows to Run Country On Christian Values". New Zimbabwe. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
^ "Opposition leader says Zimbabwe's voters forced to choose ruling party or death". PBS. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
^ "Zimbabwe's Opposition Criticizes Signing of 'Patriotic Law'". Retrieved 23 August 2023.
^ "Can Nelson Chamisa deliver a new Zimbabwe?". Retrieved 23 August 2023.
^ "I'm more patriotic than ED: Chamisa". Retrieved 23 August 2023.
^ "Zimbabwe's hope: A wind of change to democracy". 5 July 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
^ "Zimbabwe's hope: A wind of change to democracy". Retrieved 23 August 2023.
^ ""God created Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve.I thank God for the template!"-Nelson Chamisa". Retrieved 23 August 2023.
^ "Zimbabwe elections: Has Chamisa found a chink in Mnangagwa's armour?". Retrieved 23 August 2023.
^ "Africa Elects". Retrieved 23 August 2023.
^ Ntali, Elia (24 January 2022). "Breaking News: Chamisa Rebounds With New Party Name".
^ Media, Gambakwe (24 January 2022). "BREAKING: Chamisa announces new party name - Citizens Coalition for Change".
^ "Zimlii". ZimLii. 15 May 2022. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
^ Newsday (24 January 2022). "Chamisa party rebrands". NewsDay Zimbabwe. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
^ "Zimbabwean opposition party wins majority in by-elections". 28 March 2022.
^ "Nelson Chamisa: Zimbabwe opposition CCC leader quits 'contaminated' party". 25 January 2024.
^ "Zimbabwe politics | MPs quit in solidarity with Chamisa - eNCA". www.enca.com. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
^ Reporter, Staff (17 February 2024). "Chamisa's ally throws tantrum over CCC new leadership". The Zimbabwe Mail. Retrieved 18 February 2024.