Masvingo mayor dded to CCC recall list

Published: 22 September 2025

Masvingo Mayor Councillor Alec Tabe has reportedly been added to a growing list of CCC councillors facing imminent recall, escalating internal factional tensions within the party. The move comes amid controversy, with some alleging that the recall threats are politically motivated and inconsistent, raising concerns over the potential impact on service delivery for Masvingo residents.

Previously, three Masvingo CCC councillors - Esther Zishiri, Alaica Time, and Bernad Muchokwa - were targeted for allegedly supporting an independent candidate linked to former opposition leader Nelson Chamisa in the Ward 7 by-election. The initial recall letter, dated 4 September, was addressed to the Town Clerk and signed by Rocky Kamuzonda, who claimed to be the CCC Interim Secretary-General for Masvingo Province.

The letter accused the councillors of breaching party electoral codes and requested their immediate removal, citing a contravention of Section 67 of the Constitution, which requires officials to uphold integrity and impartiality.

However, insiders revealed that Mayor Tabe's name was added in a separate report sent to Sengezo Tshabangu, the controversial interim CCC secretary-general, suggesting a deliberate escalation. The four councillors are accused of allegedly campaigning for Struggle Nyahunda, an independent candidate aligned with Chamisa. Notably, Muchokwa reportedly opposed Nyahunda, raising questions about the consistency of the recall allegations.

Some sources suggest that Muchokwa's targeting may be intended to facilitate the return of former Ward Councillor Against Chiteme of ZANU-PF, a known ally of businessman Wicknell Chivhayo, particularly after ZANU-PF's landslide victory in the recent Ward 7 by-election.

Mayor Tabe, when contacted, said he was unaware of any recall developments. "I am not aware of any such meeting or recall threat. No one has informed me of the meeting or the recall," he stated.

Political analysts warn that proceeding with these recalls could disrupt service delivery and governance in Masvingo. Zishiri and Time, both proportional representation councillors, had become effective contributors in council debates, while Tabe's administrative experience is considered crucial for city management.

The recalls reflect the intensifying factional struggles within the CCC, where party allegiance may be prioritized over governance, undermining elected officials' autonomy. Reports indicate that replacement plans are already underway, with Kamuzonda allegedly positioning his wife, Linnet Tendai Sibanda, to take over one of the proportional representation seats.

Observers say the Masvingo recalls exemplify broader challenges in Zimbabwean opposition politics, where factional purges risk weakening opposition influence in local government and threatening continuity in essential public services.
- Tellzim