HARARE – Sengezo Tshabangu, the contested Secretary General of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), shared that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga called him while he was bedridden in a hospital in Geneva, assuring him that “the government would do everything in its power to bring him back home” alive.
This call was followed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who encouraged Tshabangu to keep fighting, telling him, “All shall be well.”
Tshabangu, who was representing Zimbabwe at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting, fell seriously ill shortly after arriving in Geneva and was hospitalized in intensive care for a week.
“I want to extend my gratitude to this Parliament of Zimbabwe, led by Adv. Jacob Mudenda, deputized by our President Hon. Chinomona, and also to yourself. I also extend the same gratitude to the Head of State and his Deputy. I will chronicle my gratitude in that order,” Tshabangu told Parliament on Wednesday.
Describing his illness in Geneva, Tshabangu said, “On 10th October 2024, I went to Geneva representing this Parliament, representing the people of Zimbabwe. On arrival in Geneva on 11th October 2024, I fell ill. I was taken to the Geneva medical centre, then transferred to a bigger hospital. I was helped by our colleagues around four o’clock Geneva time, but I was taken around seven o’clock in the evening because I could no longer take it. I was dizzy and was taken to a medical centre, where I received medical attention and was put in ICU. I remained in ICU for about a week.”
Tshabangu expressed deep gratitude for the support he received during his hospitalization from both the government and Parliament. “The most important thing that happened in that hospital, Mr. President, was a call from the Deputy President of this country, Mr. Chiwenga, who called me lying in that hospital and assured me that this Government would do everything they could to bring me back home. The following day, the Head of State called me and assured me that all shall be well,” he shared.
Tshabangu stressed that his mission in Geneva was to represent the country, not just the opposition. He emphasized the importance of unity and the care provided by the government, regardless of political affiliation.
“I am a member and the leader of the opposition in Parliament, but I went out representing the country. The Head of State and his Deputy showed that as a Zimbabwean, I deserve the same care as anyone else, whether you are from ZANU PF or CCC, but we are Zimbabweans,” Tshabangu said.
He expressed appreciation for the financial and moral support provided by the government and Parliament. “My bills were paid on time, I was taken care of by this Government and Parliament, and I am so grateful. It could have been worse, Mr. President, imagine staying in a foreign-developed hospital in intensive care for a week—my situation was dire.”
Tshabangu also thanked members across the political divide for their sympathy and support.
Amid his personal recovery, Tshabangu continues to face contentious political battles within the opposition CCC. His role in mass recalls of opposition figures, whom he deemed illegitimate and believed were placed in positions contrary to the will of the people, led to accusations that he handed ZANU PF the initiative in councils and Parliament. This political turmoil ultimately contributed to party president Nelson Chamisa stepping down after losing control of the party.
In recent months, Tshabangu has been embroiled in a bitter struggle for control of the CCC. Three CCC factions—led by Jameson Timba, Tshabangu, and Welshman Ncube—are currently at odds over the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) US$22 million allocated to the opposition under the Political Parties (Finance) Act. This dispute has resulted in salary arrears for the party’s employees, further intensifying the internal strife.
