By Wezhira Munya
In a bold display of loyalty to their leader President Nelson Chamisa, pro-Chamisa members of parliament Honorable Agency Gumbo and Honorable Joana Mamombe have rejected appointments made by Zanu PF proxy and fake Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim secretary general, Sengezo Tshabangu.
On 29 May 2024, Tshabangu wrote a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, informing him of new leadership appointments in the Senate and National Assembly, including committee chairpersons and members. Acting on Tshabangu’s instructions, Advocate Mudenda implemented the demanded changes on 30th May 2024, removing all pro-Chamisa parliamentarians from their committee and leadership positions.
However, the defiant move by Hon. Gumbo and Hon. Mamombe has dealt a blow to Tshabangu’s attempts to consolidate control over the legislative body.
In a strongly worded Twitter post, Hon. Gumbo rejected his purported appointment to the Parliamentary Legal Committee, stating, “I do not accede to the purported appointment by Tshabangu…The recent purported appointments are bogus and done by a person with no authority to act in the manner in which they have or on behalf of CCC. This has been done and aided by Zanu PF and I must state that I will not be used to legitimize this nonsense.”
Similarly, Hon. Mamombe refused her appointment as a member of the Environment, Climate, Wildlife and Tourism Committee, declaring, “I strongly REJECT the Bogus appointment made by an imposter Tshabangu. On 12th October 2023, I was appointed Chairperson of the Environment, Climate, Wildlife and Tourism committee by President Chamisa. I have never spoken to Tshabangu and I don’t recognize him as my leader, he is an imposter! I remain committed to the fight, no bogus appointments will deter.”
Furthermore, Hon. Mamombe reaffirmed her unwavering support for President Nelson Chamisa, stating, “My unwavering support for President Nelson Chamisa remains FIRM & UNCHANGED.”
This bold stance by Hon. Gumbo and Hon. Mamombe is a clear message to Tshabangu and his Zanu PF allies that they will not be cowed into submission. Their rejection of the purported appointments underscores their loyalty to the legitimate leadership of President Chamisa and their determination to uphold the democratic will of the Zimbabwean people.
As the political landscape in Zimbabwe continues to evolve, the actions of these principled parliamentarians serve as a beacon of hope for those who remain committed to the fight for true democracy and good governance.
Majority of Zimbabweans strongly condemned the removal of pro-President Chamisa’s lieutenants from parliamentary committees and also urge all pro-Chamisa parliamentarians who were appointed by Tshabangu to refuse the appointments.
Among the following who were appointed by Tshabangu, who are going to refuse the appointments and stand with the Citizens:
Lynette Karenyi Kore was appointed as the leader of the opposition in parliament (National Assembly) and the SADC Parliament Forum, Cecil Zvidzai as deputy chief whip in the Senate, Nomhlanhla Mlotshwa as Chief Whip in the Senate, Edwin Mushoriwa as the chief whip in the National Assembly, standing rules and orders Committee members
are: Sichelesile Mahlangu and Kucaca l. Phulu; then Sen. Solani Moyo as the Indigenisation committee member, Concelia Chinanzvavana as the secretary general, Otilia Sibanda as the Deputy Chair, and Julian Makuvire as a committee member, Parliamentary Legal Committee members are Agency Gumbo refused the appointment by Tshabangu and Kucaca I. Phulu; Refused the appointment: Hon. Joana Mamombe for the Environment, Climate, Wildlife and Tourism committee; Minenhle N. Gumede for the Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology committee; Caston Matewu for the Media, Publicity and Broadcasting Services committee; Vusumuzi Moyo for the Information communication, Technology and Courier Services committee; Vincent Sihlalo for the Energy and Power Development Committee; Josiya Makombe for the Health and Childcare Committee; Charlton Hwende for the Public Accounts committee;Maggie Ngwena for the Association of Senates, SHOORA & Equivalent Council; Linet Karenyi-Kore and Gladys Kudzaishe Hlatywayo for the SADC Parliament Forum committee; Happymore Bvondo Chidziva for the Pan African Parliament; Mhlotshwa for the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and EU Africa Parliament Assembly; Sengezo Tshabangu and Moreen Kademaunga for the Inter-Parliamentary Union; S. Matsunga for the Africa Parliamentary Union; and Sisankosi Ndebele for the Gender and Development committee.
while Sengezo Tshabangu gave himself 3 powerful positions,leader of opposition in the Senate, overall leader of opposition in parliament and member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union committee.
