Zanu PF has asserted that the frequent recalls of elected officials are plunging Zimbabwe into a constant state of electioneering, resulting in significant financial losses for the country.
The leading opposition party, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), is embroiled in turmoil as its self-appointed interim Secretary General, Sengezo Tshabangu, has embarked on mass recalls of Members of Parliament, senators, and councillors, alleging that they are no longer affiliated with the party.
Tshabangu’s actions have triggered the expulsion of 28 MPs and over a dozen councillors, with the opposition accusing him of collaborating with Zanu PF to disrupt the CCC.
The High Court recently granted an interdict barring Tshabangu from executing further recalls, marking a temporary halt to the chaos.
In an interview with a local television station, Farai Marapira, Zanu PF’s acting director of information, lamented the disruptive nature of the recalls, deeming them a nuisance.
“While we respect the law even when it becomes a source of disruption, we cannot ignore the chaos caused by these recalls,” Marapira remarked.
Zanu PF stands accused of orchestrating the recalls to secure a two-thirds majority in Parliament, a move that would furnish the party with the ability to effect constitutional amendments.
Following the recall of 15 MPs in October, the Nomination Court convened, paving the way for by-elections slated for December 10. These impromptu polls, occurring a mere four months after the general elections in August, are poised to incur costs of approximately US$5 million, a financial burden compounded by the European Union’s withdrawal of financial backing.
The EU, having been a pivotal sponsor of the elections, disengaged its support following assessments from numerous election observer missions, which highlighted irregularities and deviations from international standards.
Marapira underscored the detrimental impact of the upcoming by-elections on the country’s financial resources, emphasising that the allocated funds could have been redirected to address pressing issues in other sectors.
“We are grappling with an onslaught of challenges precipitated by these relentless recalls, effectively trapping us in a constant cycle of elections and diverting substantial funds that could have been utilised in bolstering President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision,” he expressed.
The recurrent turmoil within the political landscape of Zimbabwe continues to exact a toll on the country’s resources, casting a shadow over its socio-economic advancement.
