Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa says his party will not participate in what he described as “criminal” by-elections to fill 15 seats for members who were controversially recalled from parliament.

An interim secretary-general of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) announced the MPs were no longer members, leaving the seats vacant.

After the parliamentary speaker declared the seats vacant earlier this month, by-elections have been scheduled for 9 December.

According to Chamisa, Sengezo Tshabangu, the self-declared party secretary-general, is an “impostor”.

According to Mr Chamisa, his party will not participate in the “unconstitutional” by-elections.

He added, “We don’t participate in crime.”.

On 2 November, a case challenging the recall of the MPs will be heard.