Citizens Coalition for Change

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) is a Zimbabwean political party. It was established by former members of the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance.

Citizens Coalition for Change
Secretary-General	Sengezo Tshabangu
President (Disputed)	Lynette Karenyi-Kore Jameson Timba
Founder	Nelson Chamisa
Founded	22 January 2022 (22 January 2022)
Split from	Movement for Democratic Change Alliance
Headquarters	Harare
Ideology	Social democracy Christian democracy Liberal democracy Civic nationalism Left-wing nationalism Social conservatism Anti-corruption
Political position	Centre-left
Colours	Yellow
National Assembly	88 / 280
Senate	27 / 80
Pan-African Parliament	0 / 5
Website
www.ccczimbabwe.com
Politics of Zimbabwe Political parties Elections

Background

Nelson Chamisa formed Citizens Coalition for Change after losing the squabbles over party name "MDC Alliance". The president of the CCC party presented yellow as the new color and raising the index finger as the new symbol. CCC has no constitution. A way to avoid being bound by its supremacy as it was in MDC. After forming the party, most MDC Alliance MPs and councilors who showed allegiance to Chamisa were recalled from parliament by Douglas Mwonzora, who took over MDC Alliance. This, together with some deaths of officials, called for by-elections in 28 seats which were conducted on 26 March 2022 in which the newly formed CCC won 19 and ZANU–PF won 9. It is worthy noting that ZANU-PF gained 9 more parliamentary seats since 2018. The rump MDC Alliance which Mwonzora headed did not win a seat. Weeks before the by-election saw some government-sponsored violence against CCC (including violence at CCC rally in Kwekwe which led to the death of a party supporter), unjustified behavior from the Zimbabwe Republic Police which include banning of CCC rallies, beating up of party supporters, arrests of CCC party officials (of note, Tendai Biti and Madzibaba Veshanduko), etc.

2023 recall of Members of Parliament

After forming the party in 2022, the interim leader Nelson Chamisa refused to craft an interim constitution and party structures. At its formation, the CCC party had the president of the CCC party Nelson Chamisa as the sole office holder. Taking advantage of this lack of organization (lack of interim constitution and party structures), a one Sengezo Tshabangu started claiming that he was the interim secretary general of the party. It has been suggested that he represents an agitated group old generation of MDC Alliance who were sidelined by Nelson Chamisa, most notably Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube who were VPs in the MDC Alliance. However, so far these suggestions have not been proven. Some have suggested that Tshabangu represents a shadowy group called FAZ that runs shady electorals tasks for the ruling ZANU–PF. However, this has also been a subject of conjecture. On 3 October 2022, Tshabangu wrote letters to the speaker of the parliament, president of the senate, and minister of local government recalling 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, they couldn't provide any proof that Tshabangu was not the secretary general since the party has no constitution, party member list, or even minutes of their meetings. So in essence, Sengezo Tshabangu took control of the CCC party after the high court judgement. The recalled MPs, Senators and Councillors approached the supreme court of Zimbabwe, however their case is most likely to be thrown out since they dont have proof that Sengezo Tshabangu is not the secretary general of the CCC party since the party had no interim constitution, party structures or minutes of their meetings. At the same time the CCC party has approached the high court interdicting Tshabangu from using its party name, symbols and claiming to be the secretary general, however their case will also be thrown out since they dont have proof that Sengezo Tshabangu is not the secretary general of the CCC party since the party had no interim constitution, party structures or minutes of their meetings. 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, citing government interference that had "contaminated" and "hijacked" the CCC.

Post Chamisa Era

After Nelson Chamisa resigned as party president and member of the CCC, 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

Election	Party candidate	Votes	Percentage	Votes	Percentage	Result
		First Round		Second Round
2023	Nelson Chamisa	1,967,243	44.03%	—	—	Lost N

House of Assembly elections

Election	Party leader	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Position	Result
2022 (by-election)	Nelson Chamisa			19 / 28	19	1st	Opposition
2023		1,856,393	41.46%	103 / 280	103	2nd	Opposition
2023 (by-election)				2 / 10	8
2024 (by-election)	Unknown			0 / 6	6

Senate elections

Election	Party leader	Seats	+/–	Position	Result
2023	Nelson Chamisa	27 / 80	27	2nd	Opposition