Mafume fired as CCC spokesman?

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) faction led by Professor Welshman Ncube has announced a new spokesperson: Willias Madzimure takes over the role and Jacob Mafume moves to Legal Affairs Secretary. Kurauone Chihwayi has been appointed as Ncube's personal spokesperson.

In a statement released on Sunday, Ncube stressed that these changes are aimed at “improving our communication skills”.

Mafume, who has served as interim spokesperson since Nelson Chamisa resigned in January, will now focus on legal matters. Chamisa's departure was accompanied by allegations of infiltration within the party.

Ncube, who has taken over the interim chairmanship of the CCC until the party congress, finds himself facing a rival faction led by Jameson Timba, a former senator from Harare and a Chamisa supporter.

Internal discord was exacerbated by the establishment of a parallel CCC structure by Sengezo Tshabangu, who had appointed himself Secretary General of the party before recalling several MPs and councillors. Tshabangu was sworn in as a senator and has secured the role of Opposition Leader in Parliament.

The ongoing factional battle will come under closer scrutiny this month when government funding for political parties is distributed. CCC is set to receive ZIG22 million based on its result in the 2023 general election, while Zanu PF is set to receive ZIG48 million. The distribution will reveal which faction will be officially recognised by the Zanu PF government.