BULAWAYO – Finance minister Mthuli Ncube, still smarting from his election defeat in August when he ran for MP in Cowdray Park, will not participate in by-elections to be held on December 9.
The Cowdray Park seat is vacant again after Pashor Sibanda, who defeated Ncube, was controversially recalled by Sengezo Tshabangu who declared himself interim secretary general of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
Ncube polled 6,513 votes to Sibanda’s 8,411.
The CCC is in court challenging the recall of Sibanda and 13 other MPs, nine senators and 17 councillors.
A list of Zanu PF candidates for the by-election announced by Zanu PF political commissar Mike Bimha excludes Ncube, who became one of seven non-constituency MPs selected by President Emmerson Mnangagwa before he was re-appointed minister in September.
Bimha said Zanu PF would be holding by-elections to fill the vacancies. In Cowdray Park, five people have put their names forward: Tripod Muyengwa, Japhet Phuthi, Arthur Mujeyi, Tholakele Ndlovu and Eddington Mpofu.
By-elections are due in Beitbridge West, Binga North, Bulawayo South, Cowdray Park, Lobengula-Magwegwe, Lupane East, Mabvuku-Tafara, Mpopoma-Mzilikazi and Nketa.
CCC leader Nelson Chamisa has declared that his party will not be fielding candidates, arguing that “we should not waste time on unconstitutional acts.”
“We don’t participate in crime. It would be a different ball game had these positions been created by a proper case of law. But you can’t criminally produce an imposter, a fraudster, a bogus recall which is not from CCC,” he said.
The CCC appears to have placed its faith in the courts to rule in its favour. A contrary ruling will effectively hand over the party to Tshabangu, who would be emboldened to make further recalls and also claim political party finances from the government.
The High Court will rule on a challenge to the recalls before November 7 following a hearing on Thursday.
