Hwende,
the
Member
of
Parliament
for
Kuwadzana
West
and
a
key
ally
of
the
Welshman
Ncube
faction,
publicly
rejected
his
removal
from
the
influential
committee
–
a
move
orchestrated
by
Tshabangu
and
announced
through
deputy
Speaker
of
Parliament
Tsitsi
Gezi.
Tshabangu’s
directive
reassigned
Hwende
to
the
Energy
Committee,
effectively
stripping
him
of
his
former
role.
Rising
in
protest
during
the
parliamentary
session,
Hwende
delivered
a
scathing
rebuke,
insisting
that
Tshabangu
lacked
the
legal
authority
to
make
such
decisions.
He
argued
that
Tshabangu’s
leadership
was
still
being
challenged
in
court
and
therefore
could
not
unilaterally
make
committee
appointments
or
removals.
Hwende
also
declined
to
accept
the
post
of
chairperson
of
the
Energy
Committee,
a
role
previously
held
by
Marondera
Central
MP
Caston
Matewu.
Despite
his
objections,
the
deputy
Speaker
overruled
him
and
confirmed
Matewu
as
the
new
Public
Accounts
Committee
chairperson.
The
development
underscored
the
intensifying
internal
power
struggles
within
the
CCC,
where
factional
loyalty
appears
to
be
dictating
appointments
and
political
fortunes.
Sources
within
Parliament
say
Hwende’s
demotion
was
largely
due
to
his
unwavering
support
for
the
Ncube
camp,
which
stands
in
opposition
to
Tshabangu’s
growing
influence.
The
public
fallout
between
Hwende
and
Tshabangu
marks
a
dramatic
shift
in
their
relationship.
Once
allies
against
former
CCC
leader
Nelson
Chamisa,
the
two
have
now
become
fierce
adversaries
in
the
ongoing
battle
for
control
of
the
opposition
party.
Adding
fuel
to
the
fire,
insiders
say
some
members
aligned
with
Tshabangu
are
now
pushing
for
Hwende’s
immediate
recall
from
Parliament.
While
no
formal
steps
have
been
taken
yet,
the
call
has
heightened
speculation
that
the
CCC
factional
fight
is
far
from
over
–
and
may
lead
to
more
purges
and
realignments
in
the
weeks
ahead.
With
the
situation
developing
rapidly,
all
eyes
are
now
on
whether
Tshabangu
will
act
on
the
recall
threats
or
whether
the
crisis
will
spark
further
instability
within
the
embattled
opposition
party.
–
online