By Staff Reporter
HARARE — Former Bulawayo deputy mayor and former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator Gift Banda has defected to Zanu PF, ending months of speculation over his political future after he was unveiled at the ruling party’s Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3 (CAA3) “Thank You Rally” in Gwanda on Sunday.
Banda, once one of the CCC’s most prominent figures in Bulawayo, was introduced by senior Zanu PF officials before supporters gathered for the rally celebrating Parliament’s passage of Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3.
His defection was welcomed by Politburo members Richard Ndlovu and Abedinico Ncube, Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe, who is also the party’s provincial vice-chairperson, and provincial chairman Mangaliso Ndlovu, who also serves as Minister of Industry and Commerce.
Addressing supporters, Banda said he had joined Zanu PF because he believed the ruling party and the constitutional amendments would accelerate Zimbabwe’s political and economic development.
He said he wanted to contribute towards Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 agenda and thanked the party leadership for welcoming him into its ranks.
Banda’s defection marks another high-profile opposition departure as Zanu PF continues courting former CCC officials following the passage of CAA3.
The former Njube-Lobengula MP, however, has faced a series of legal challenges during his political career.
In 2017, Banda denied claims that then Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere had removed him from office over allegations that he had illegally acquired residential stands in Bulawayo.
In February 2020, he was arrested over allegations involving a US$60,000 land transaction.
Prosecutors alleged that Banda and Bard Real Estate conspired to forge signatures to facilitate the sale of a residential stand in Selbourne Brooke, Bulawayo. Banda denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
He again appeared before the courts in December 2024 after being charged with allegedly submitting a forged Ordinary Level certificate as part of his nomination papers for the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) vice-presidency.
According to court papers, investigators alleged the examination centre and candidate numbers on the certificate belonged to another individual after inquiries at Mpopoma High School.
The matter remains one of several cases that have drawn public attention during Banda’s political career.
His move to Zanu PF comes as the ruling party continues consolidating support following the enactment of Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3, legislation that has sharply divided Zimbabwe’s political landscape.
