A Correspondent| Sengezo Tshabangu, the secretary-general of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), is recovering after being hospitalized in Switzerland following a sudden illness. Tshabangu had traveled to attend the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, where he serves on the IPU Standing Committee on Sustainable Development Goals.
After arriving in Switzerland last Friday for the assembly, which runs from October 12 to 17, 2024, Tshabangu experienced severe stomach pains and was hospitalized due to suspected food poisoning. According to a close source, the illness struck shortly after landing, leading to his admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) at one point as his condition became critical.was fine throughout the flight,” the source revealed. “The illness came on suddenly. Fortunately, the Swiss healthcare system responded efficiently. He wasn’t able to attend the event, and he even required ICU care for a while.”
When contacted, Tshabangu acknowledged his illness but declined to speak at length, saying, “Send a message; I can’t take calls now… I am good now.” He referred further questions to his personal assistant, Nqobizitha Mlilo, who confirmed Tshabangu’s improving condition. “Senator Tshabangu is recovering well,” Mlilo stated. “Everyone falls ill from time to time; it’s part of life. He’s back to his normal duties.”
Tshabangu has been a figure of controversy within Zimbabwean politics. In September, he made headlines after receiving $1.6 million from the government under the Political Parties (Finance) Act, which allocates funding to parties with at least 5% of the vote. The government recognized him as the leader of the CCC, granting his faction funds alongside Zanu-PF.
His rise within the CCC has been contentious, particularly after he declared himself interim secretary-general of the party, which was founded by Nelson Chamisa in January 2022. Tshabangu has since recalled numerous party councillors and legislators, triggering costly by-elections that saw Zanu-PF winning several seats and securing a two-thirds majority in Parliament. This move has allowed the ruling party to advance its legislative agenda.
Tshabangu’s critics, including Chamisa, have accused him of being a Zanu-PF proxy—an allegation Tshabangu strongly denies. He has also faced internal strife within the CCC, with some members defecting to Zanu-PF and ongoing disputes with officials from the Welshman Ncube-led CCC faction.
As Tshabangu recovers, the internal power struggles within the CCC continue, leaving the party’s future uncertain.Tshabangu Akatombopinzwa Mu ICU Arwarira kunze kwenyika
