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Controversial Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu was forced to take back his utterances and apologised to Shantel Chiwara, the former youthful Masvingo Mayor after he referred to her as a “little girl”.
The self-styled CCC interim secretary general was blasted online and accused of sexism against the 25-year-old after he suggested she became mayor because she was the girlfriend of a senior party leader.
“Regrettably, my remarks came across as sǝxist,” Tshabangu on Monday said that, “I apologise for the poor choice of words that I used and thank all those who pointed this issue out to me.”
CCC MP Fadzayi Mahere (Mt Pleasant) led the chorus of condemnation after Tshabangu made the remarks in an interview with HSTV, blasting: “This is disgusting misogyny on display here by Mr Tshabangu. His defamatory, sexist remarks go beyond politics. It’s an attack on the right of a young, competent woman to lead and must be condemned by all progressive Zimbabweans.”
Chiwara was elected a councillor in Masvingo in the August 23 general elections but was recalled by Tshabangu, who wrote a letter to the local government minister claiming she had ceased to be a CCC member.
However, CCC has maintained that Tshabangu is an imposter and has no authority to recall the party’s elected officials.
“I reiterate that Shantiel Chiwara was not procedurally appointed to be a candidate in her ward, nor does she have the requisite experience for such a crucial role as mayor,” Tshabangu insisted.
Tshabangu has recalled over two dozen CCC MPs and senators and over 40 councillors, claiming they were not properly selected as candidates during the party’s candidate selection process.
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