The political landscape of Zimbabwe is in turmoil, with accusations of betrayal, corruption, and a stunning turn of events casting a shadow over the former leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Nelson Chamisa.
His resignation from the opposition earlier this year has left a void in Zimbabwean politics, raising questions about his motives and the future of the opposition.
The controversy began with Chamisa’s scathing criticism of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) following the appointment of President Emmerson Mnangagwa as its new Chair. Chamisa accused SADC of failing to uphold its own ethical standards and principles, highlighting a perceived disconnect between the regional body’s values and its actions.
“As SADC, do we uphold set guidelines and agreed ethical standards?? A SADC without standards, values and principles is irrelevant and outmoded, dead and defunct. And a defunct SADC can’t be a trusted custodian of fairness, peace, freedom, justice and security of the African people. We must turn @SADC_News into a community of values and a bastion and institution of the oppressed, not a club of the oppressive and abusive. We have a generational mandate and duty to shift things. We will transform Africa. Fellow citizens of Southern Africa, we must shape this world!#NewAfrica**”
Chamisa’s comments reflect a growing frustration within the region regarding governance and democratic norms. His call for a more principled SADC resonates with many who are disillusioned by ongoing issues of governance and human rights in Southern Africa.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn when Susan Mutami, a well-known socialite with a history intertwined with Zimbabwean politics, made a bombshell allegation on Twitter. Mutami, who has a son with President Mnangagwa’s cousin, Temba Mliswa, and another son with the late Sibusiso “SB” Moyo – the late army general who became the face of the 2017 coup that ousted Robert Mugabe – has been outspoken on Twitter, alleging that Chamisa was paid by the ruling Zanu PF party to abandon his opposition role.
Mutami claims that Chamisa was promised a senior position in the government of national unity (GNU) in exchange for his withdrawal from politics, a promise she believes will never be fulfilled. She accuses Chamisa of betraying the people and giving them false hope, adding that he has become a “traitor” in the eyes of the security services and the international community.
“Sometimes I just don’t understand why you betrayed the people and gave everyone false hope @nelsonchamisa. I want to tell u that @ZANUPF_Official money is very expensive, it takes your soul with you, you can’t even say anything now. I know u were used by MID to manage the masses in exchange for a few coins and promised a GNU that will never come. To the security services you are now a traitor. They will never trust you with running the country later alone with any state secret. Imagine the diplomatic community Nelson that once trusted you?”
“This could have been you being crowned Chairman but you chose money over principles. The people were on your side. I know about the bullet incident that was sent to you but that was just an intimidation tactic for you to make a quick decision. Money is not everything my friend. You abused money that was donated by the public with your comrades. You are delaying a people’s revolution. Instead of us saying you are the savior you now need to gracefully leave politics. Let the young ones lead and manage the affairs of their politics. You have failed as a leader Nelson. Thank you for your service but a good leader knows when to leave the stage completely.”
Mutami’s accusations have left with many questioning Chamisa’s actions and motives behind his resigantion without a clear plan B that can easily be understood by those who voted for him. The timing of his resignation, just five months after the August 2023 general elections, which were marred by allegations of electoral fraud, has further fuelled speculation.
Adding to the intrigue, George Charamba, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Presidential Communications in the Office of the President of Zimbabwe, has surprisingly defended Chamisa. Charamba’s unexpected support came after a segment of Zimbabweans on X (formerly Twitter) accused Chamisa of undermining opposition politics.
“This is crazy; why do you hold him responsible for voluntary incapacitation? Itaka opposition yacho iwe!!!!” Charamba fired back in Nelson Chamisa’s corner.
This unexpected show of support from a high-ranking Zanu PF official has further deepened the mystery surrounding Chamisa’s resignation and the events that led to it. It raises questions about the true nature of Chamisa’s relationship with the ruling party and the extent of his involvement in any alleged deals.
Veteran academic and political analyst Ibbo Mandaza has also weighed in on the controversy, urging Chamisa to step down and allow new leadership to emerge. Mandaza’s message was delivered with a tone of urgency and finality: “Go with your Godisinit and leave opposition politics now, to allow a new leadership,” he said, in reference to Chamisa’s frequent invocations of religious themes in his political discourse.
“As I have stated before, you have served the state well by systematically demobilizing the masses – a damn disgrace for which you will pay dearly. Declare your departure, or we expose you.”
Zimbabwean journalist and government critic Hopewell Chin’ono has also joined the chorus of voices criticizing Chamisa, accusing him of abandoning his supporters.
“This nonsense is now nauseating! You can’t keep repeating the same thing for 7 years while vana vakazara mumajeri. It is either you are meant to lead or you are not leadership material!” Hopewell Chin’ono responded to Chamisa’s tweet.
With Chamisa’s resignation and his refusal to reveal his next step, Zimbabwe’s opposition finds itself at a crossroads. The former CCC leader’s absence has left a vacuum in the political landscape, leaving the door open for Mnangagwa and Zanu PF to rule unopposed.
