By Staff Reporter
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), a political party often perceived as an illegitimate or “fake” opposition force , is poised to receive ZWG56 million under the Political Finance Act (PFA).
While Zanu PF is expected to claim the lion’s share of the ZWG162 million allocated to qualifying political parties in the 2026 national budget, the CCC is set to receive a substantial portion despite its diminished showing. This allocation comes from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, in accordance with the Political Parties Finance Act, which aims to fund political entities that reach a minimum threshold of five percent of the total votes in a general election.
Zanu PF’s electoral dominance in 2023 saw the party capture 137 geographical parliamentary seats, a commanding lead over the CCC, which secured just 33 seats. In terms of total National Assembly seats, Zanu PF emerged victorious with 176 seats compared to CCC’s 103, including the 60 proportional representation seats for women and 10 special youth seats. This strong showing by Zanu PF guarantees it a hefty share of the Treasury’s allocation, estimated at ZWG106 million.
Despite its controversy, CCC qualifies for funding under the PFA, which stipulates that any political party that earns at least five percent of the total vote is entitled to state support. The CCC’s disappointing results in the 210 constituencies, where it failed to significantly outperform Zanu PF, nonetheless allow it to claim ZWG56 million in funding from the national budget.
The introduction of the Political Parties Finance Act in 2004 was a response to concerns that foreign entities were financing opposition groups in an effort to undermine Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and destabilize the government. The Act was designed to ensure that only domestic, independently funded political parties could access government support, thereby mitigating the influence of external actors in Zimbabwean politics.
As political parties jockey for power ahead of the next election cycle, the CCC’s allocation under the PFA, despite its limited success, underscores the ongoing financial support provided to parties that meet the electoral threshold — regardless of their overall effectiveness or legitimacy in the eyes of critics.
This allocation of funds to the CCC has reignited debates about the party’s legitimacy, with some calling it a “fake” opposition, while others argue that the funding is an essential part of maintaining democratic processes. Critics suggest that while CCC’s smaller share of the budget is less significant than that of Zanu PF, it still represents a substantial amount of taxpayer money going to a party that many view as lacking true popular support.
Nonetheless, as the Political Finance Act continues to shape the financial landscape of Zimbabwe’s political environment, both Zanu PF and CCC will remain key players in the contest for state resources and influence in the years to come.
