Tshabangu
is
embroiled
in
a
legal
dispute
with
a
faction
loyal
to
Nelson
Chamisa
over
who
rightfully
leads
and
manages
the
party.
The
conflict
intensified
when
the
Chamisa-aligned
faction,
which
insists
that
Chamisa
resigned
in
January,
filed
an
urgent
court
application
to
prevent
the
disbursement
of
ZWL$22,116,500
under
the
Political
Parties
(Finance)
Act.
Tshabangu
claims
the
funds
should
be
managed
under
his
leadership.
This
faction,
backed
by
Youngerson
Matete,
filed
the
application
against
the
Ministry
of
Finance
and
the
Ministry
of
Justice
to
block
any
potential
payments
to
Tshabangu
or
other
parties
they
argue
are
unauthorised
to
represent
the
CCC.
The
faction
asserts
that
Tshabangu’s
actions,
including
recalling
elected
members
of
Parliament,
are
illegitimate
and
unauthorised.
Amid
the
legal
battle,
Prof
Ncube
filed
an
application
to
join
the
proceedings,
arguing
that
as
the
acting
president
of
the
CCC,
he
has
a
substantial
interest
in
the
case.
Tshabangu
strongly
opposes
this
claim.
In
his
founding
affidavit,
Prof
Ncube
stated
that
he
is
the
acting
president
of
the
“real
and
lawful
CCC.”
“This
is
an
application
to
join
the
proceedings
under
case
number
HCH4235/24,
filed
by
the
CCC
and
Youngerson
Matate
on
27
September
2024,”
Prof
Ncube
said,
adding
that
he
learned
about
the
case
through
social
media
and
news
articles.
Ncube
argued
that
his
involvement
in
the
case
would
help
prevent
unnecessary
litigation
and
expedite
the
resolution
of
disputes
by
ensuring
that
all
parties
with
legal
interests
are
represented.
However,
in
his
notice
of
opposition,
Tshabangu
challenged
Ncube’s
claims,
stating
that
he
lacks
the
authority
to
act
on
behalf
of
the
party.
Tshabangu
argued
that
according
to
the
party’s
constitution,
an
acting
president
can
only
be
appointed
through
an
extraordinary
congress,
which
Ncube
has
not
convened.
“He
claims
to
have
become
acting
president
following
the
resignation
of
Nelson
Chamisa,
but
he
does
not
allege
that
there
was
an
extraordinary
congress
as
required
by
the
party’s
constitution,”
Tshabangu
stated.
Tshabangu
further
asserted
that
Prof
Ncube’s
term
of
office
expired
in
May
2024,
making
his
claim
to
the
presidency
invalid.
“The
officials
elected
at
the
Gweru
2019
congress
held
office
for
five
years,
which
expired
on
27
May
2024,”
Tshabangu
said.
“Therefore,
Prof
Ncube’s
term
of
office
ended,
and
he
is
not
the
acting
president
of
the
CCC.”
Tshabangu
also
noted
that
Prof
Ncube’s
failure
to
convene
a
congress,
as
required
by
the
party’s
constitution,
renders
his
claim
to
leadership
legally
untenable.
Tshabangu
detailed
several
meetings
held
with
Ncube
and
other
party
leaders
to
discuss
restoring
the
party’s
legality
and
constitutionality.
These
meetings,
however,
failed
to
produce
actionable
results,
with
Ncube
ultimately
rejecting
a
proposed
way
forward.
A
mediator
was
later
brought
in
to
help
resolve
the
dispute,
but
despite
extensive
discussions,
Prof
Ncube
has
not
responded
to
a
draft
proposal
or
attended
a
follow-up
meeting,
leaving
the
leadership
battle
unresolved.
Tshabangu
also
accused
Prof
Ncube
of
failing
to
participate
in
key
court
cases
concerning
the
party,
alleging
that
Ncube’s
interest
in
the
current
case
is
primarily
tied
to
the
distribution
of
party
funds.
“If
he
truly
has
a
direct
and
substantial
interest
in
the
party,
why
has
he
not
participated
in
any
of
the
over
60
court
cases
involving
recalls
and
by-elections?”
Tshabangu
questioned.
“His
sudden
interest
coincides
with
the
issue
of
funds.”