Court Fight Heats Up Between Zimbabwe Opposition Leaders.
A fight broke out between two leaders of Zimbabwe's opposition party this week. Sengezo Tshabangu lost his lawyers right before a big court case. He says Welshman Ncube made them quit.
Tshabangu wanted judges to let him pick new members of parliament. He first used lawyers from Ncube's firm. But they left him just as the case began. He had to stop his appeal and start over with new lawyers.
His team claims someone pushed the first lawyers to leave. "This tried to hurt our case," said Nqobizitha Mlilo, who speaks for Tshabangu. "We fixed it fast with new lawyers."
The case started when Tshabangu named new people to parliament. Ncube said this was wrong. A court agreed with Ncube. Tshabangu tried to fight back but lost his lawyers.
Willias Madzimure, who speaks for Ncube's side, denied any tricks. "We have a strong case," he said. "Mr. Ncube never made those lawyers quit."
Both sides belong to the Citizens Coalition for Change party. Their fight shows deep splits in Zimbabwe's opposition. The case will go on with Tshabangu's new lawyers from Thompson James Mabhikwa and Partners.
The court must still decide if Tshabangu can name new parliament members. This choice could change who leads the opposition in Zimbabwe.
A fight broke out between two leaders of Zimbabwe's opposition party this week. Sengezo Tshabangu lost his lawyers right before a big court case. He says Welshman Ncube made them quit.
Tshabangu wanted judges to let him pick new members of parliament. He first used lawyers from Ncube's firm. But they left him just as the case began. He had to stop his appeal and start over with new lawyers.
His team claims someone pushed the first lawyers to leave. "This tried to hurt our case," said Nqobizitha Mlilo, who speaks for Tshabangu. "We fixed it fast with new lawyers."
The case started when Tshabangu named new people to parliament. Ncube said this was wrong. A court agreed with Ncube. Tshabangu tried to fight back but lost his lawyers.
Willias Madzimure, who speaks for Ncube's side, denied any tricks. "We have a strong case," he said. "Mr. Ncube never made those lawyers quit."
Both sides belong to the Citizens Coalition for Change party. Their fight shows deep splits in Zimbabwe's opposition. The case will go on with Tshabangu's new lawyers from Thompson James Mabhikwa and Partners.
The court must still decide if Tshabangu can name new parliament members. This choice could change who leads the opposition in Zimbabwe.
