Simbiso Ranga

Change News Current Affairs with Simbiso Ranga, Kariba Ferry Disaster. What are the lessons? What is going on Now, a month later. Mambo Joni joins conversation nitter.gq/i/broadcasts/1dGYlagLr…

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"Bedding Further Exposed": Ward 1 CCC Candidate Linked To Zanu PF As Tshabangu Faction Fields Card-Carrying Member The Ward 1 by-election in Bulawayo is further exposing alleged links between the Sengezo Tshabangu-led faction of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and Zanu PF, after the candidate fielded for the 3 October poll was reportedly identified as a card-carrying Zanu PF member. Mduduzi Sibanda, who is representing the Tshabangu-led CCC for Ward 1, is facing allegations that he holds Zanu PF membership. The claim has reignited debate over the Tshabangu faction’s credibility and its relationship with the ruling party. A total of three candidates are contesting the Ward 1 seat on 3 October: 1. Mduduzi Sibanda - CCC [Tshabangu faction] 2. Mathias Tsikira - Zanu PF 3. Shepherd Sithole - Independent The Ward 1 seat fell vacant after Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe declared it vacant in a letter dated 14 July 2026. The vacancy followed an independent tribunal’s finding that former councillor Josiah Mutangi was guilty of misconduct. Mutangi, a Zanu PF representative, was convicted in December 2025 on 13 counts of fraud for soliciting US$200 from each of 13 vendors under false promises of securing formal vending bays in the city centre. Mutangi and co-accused Janet Zhou were sentenced to community service and ordered to make restitution. Mutangi had earlier been suspended amid the allegations. In the race to replace Mutangi, the Tshabangu-led CCC has fronted Mduduzi Sibanda. However, sources and residents claim Sibanda is a card-carrying Zanu PF member, raising questions about the faction’s independence ahead of the poll. The development comes amid long-standing accusations that the Tshabangu-led CCC has been working in concert with Zanu PF, particularly through recalls and candidate impositions. Shepherd Sithole, who previously held the seat for CCC after winning in the August 2023 harmonised elections, was recalled later that year amid the internal disputes involving Tshabangu. He is now contesting as an Independent Candidate and appears to have a sharp competitive edge in the race. Sithole says residents pushed him to run and he has been meeting communities across the CBD, Northend, Bradfield, Famona and surrounding areas. "The people have sent us… Standing as an independent candidate will be representing the wishes of the people who have put their trust in believing that at least this ward deserves someone who can represent them," Sithole said. Ground reports indicate Sithole is leveraging his incumbency record and community networks to position himself as the frontrunner, capitalizing on voter fatigue with party politics and the controversy around the other two candidates. Ward 1 covers the central business district and adjacent areas including parts of Parkview, Paddonhurst, Sunnyside, Suburbs, Northend, Bradfield, Malindela, Famona and Hillcrest. With campaigning intensifying ahead of 3 October 2026, vendor issues, service delivery, and political alignment are emerging as key issues. Analysts say the Ward 1 contest will test whether voters prefer an independent, community-rooted candidate with proven visibility, or party candidates, with two of the three contenders now linked to Zanu PF in different ways. *Change Radio will continue covering the Ward 1 by-election and its implications for Bulawayo politics.*