The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) is a Zimbabwean political party established in 2022 by former members of the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance.
Background Nelson Chamisa formed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) after losing a dispute over the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance against Douglas Mwonzora, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change - Tsvangirai (MDC-T). Chamisa proposed yellow and the raised index finger as the new colour and symbol of the party.
The CCC has no official constitution in order to avoid being bound by its supremacy as it was in the MDC. Following the formation of the CCC, several MDC Alliance MPs and councilors were accused of showing allegiance to Chamisa and recalled from parliament by Mwonzora, whom had taken over the MDC Alliance. This, alongside the deaths of some officials, left a number of vacancies in parliamentary seats, which triggered by-elections under Zimbabwean constitutional law. Elections in 28 seats were conducted on 26 March 2022 in which the newly formed CCC won 19 and ZANU–PF won 9 seats. Mwonzora's rump MDC Alliance did not secure any seats. The weeks preceding the by-election saw some government-sponsored violence against CCC (including violence at a CCC rally in Kwekwe which led to the stabbing and death of a party supporter, Mboneni Ncube, by suspected ZANU-PF supporters).
2023 recall of Members of Parliament At its inception in 2022, the CCC party had the president of the CCC party Nelson Chamisa as the sole office holder. Chamisa refused to craft an interim constitution and party structures as interim leader. During this period of disorganization, Sengezo Tshabangu, another party member, began his campaign to claim the title and role of the interim secretary general of the party. His claim was rejected by Chamisa. It has been suggested that he represents an agitated group of the old generation of the MDC Alliance who were sidelined by Chamisa, most notably Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube, two VPs of the former MDC Alliance. However, evidence to support these claims has been insufficient to date.
On 3 October 2022, Tshabangu wrote letters to the speaker of the parliament, president of the senate, and minister of local government recalling MPs, senators and councillors who were elected on the CCC ticket. He submitted his own credentials and interim constitution to the parliament and ZEC, which essentially meant he was now the bona fide leader of the party. The letters were accepted and the MPs, senators and councillors were recalled. The recalled MPs, Senators and Councillors approached the high court of Zimbabwe claiming that Tshabangu was not a member of the CCC party, moreso the secretary general. However, this could not be proven due to the party's of constitution, party member list, and minutes of its meetings. Tshabangu thus took control of the CCC party following the high court's decision. The recalled MPs, senators and councillors approached the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe to counter Tshabangu's claim. The CCC party also approached the high court interdicting Tshabangu from using its party name, symbols and claiming to be the secretary general. Instead, Sengezo Tshabangu has submitted an interim constitution of the party which means he is now the bona fide leader of the party.
Chamisa resigned on 27 January 2024, claiming government interference had "contaminated" and "hijacked" the CCC.
Post-Chamisa era After Nelson Chamisa resigned as party president and member of the CCC in 2024, other members who were loyal to him also left the party. Among the notable departures were Rusty Markham and Fadzayi Mahere. In February 2024 it was announced that Welshman Ncube will serve as interim party leader on a 90-day rotational arrangement with Tendai Biti and Lynette Karenyi-Kore until the party holds its elective congress.
Electoral history Presidential elections ElectionParty candidateVotesPercentageVotesPercentageResultFirst RoundSecond Round2023Nelson Chamisa1,967,24344.03% — —Lost
House of Assembly elections ElectionParty leaderVotes%Seats +/–PositionResult2022 (by-election)Nelson Chamisa 19 1st20231,856,39341.46% 103 2nd2023 (by-election) 82024 (by-election)Unknown 6
Senate elections ElectionParty leaderSeats+/–PositionResult2023Nelson Chamisa 27 2nd
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