Senator Sengezo Tshabangu, who is also the interim Secretary General of the main opposition party, has expanded his influence significantly. Recently, the Speaker of Parliament, Honorable Mudeda, announced that Tshabangu is now the leader of both legislative houses: Parliament and the Senate.

This announcement has sparked a rift among the factions within the opposition party. Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) member of parliament, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, criticized the appointment. Mahere, who resigned after Tshabangu began recalling some party members, voiced her disapproval on social media.

“#BREAKING The Sunday Mail reports that Sengezo Tshabangu is now ‘Leader of the Opposition’ in Parliament and is now in charge of the National Assembly and Senate. This fraud on the will of the people lies at the heart of my decision to resign from the farce that is Zimbabwe’s Parliament as currently configured. This tragic outcome was foreseeable to any person paying attention,” Mahere posted on Facebook.

Additionally, members of parliament Hon Mamombe and Hon Gumbo have rejected their appointments by Tshabangu. Hon Mamombe, who is currently serving on the Environment, Climate, Wildlife, and Tourism commission, stated that her role began in October 2023 when she was appointed by Advocate Nelson Chamisa, the former leader of the CCC.

Using the same platform, Hon Gumbo also rejected his appointment, stating, “I don’t accede to the purported appointment by Tshabangu.”

It remains to be seen what consequences these two members of parliament will face for rejecting Tshabangu’s appointments.

Senator Tshabangu currently holds several powerful positions within his political party and the government of Zimbabwe. He is the Secretary General of the main opposition party, a member of the Senate, the leader of both legislative houses (Senate and Parliament), and a member of the Interparliamentary Union Committee.