Staff Reporter
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has embarked on a legal action to reclaim its Bulawayo offices from former leader, Nelson Chamisa.
The move comes after Chamisa's followers allegedly hijacked and painted the offices blue, adorned with Chamisa's portrait, in an act of defiance against the party's leadership transition.
In a bid to restore control and possession of the premises, CCC's Secretary General, Sengezo Tshabangu, has filed legal papers at the High Court in Bulawayo, citing spoliation and unlawful possession of the property by Chamisa and his supporters.
According to the documents submitted to the court, Tshabangu accused Chamisa of unlawfully assuming ownership of the CCC offices in Bulawayo, which rightfully belong to CCC.
Tshabangu asserted that the forcible takeover of the premises by Chamisa's agents constitutes an act of spoilation, impeding that party's activities and prejudicing its interests.
Tshabangu emphasized the significance of the premises, stating, "The applicant is using the premises as its Bulawayo Provincial offices wherein all provincial party documents are kept, party meetings, activities, and programs are conducted, and the respondents' conduct is unlawful, prejudicial to the applicant, and amounts to the act of spoliation."
In his legal filing, Tshabangu also requested an urgent court order for Chamisa and his associates to vacate the premises immediately.
He warned that failure to comply would result in legal repercussions, as Chamisa lacks legitimate ownership of the building.
Additionally, Tshabangu sought to halt any structural developments or improvements initiated by Chamisa's faction at the premises until the ownership dispute is resolved.
"Applicant accordingly seeks an urgent relief restoring possession, control and occupation of its premises and ordering respondent through his agent, assignees, proxies, and/or employees to immediately vacate and cease interference with applicant's premises and/or painting and/or conducting or effecting any structural developments or improvements at the applicant premises situated at Stand 41 Fort Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenue in Bulawayo,” stated Tshabangu.
Meanwhile, the situation surrounding the ownership of the Bulawayo offices is further complicated by the claim made by MDC T leader, Douglas Mwonzora.
Mwonzora also claims ownership of the building, adding another layer of complexity to the legal battle between the rival factions within Zimbabwean opposition parties.
