Harare – Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has ‘resurrected’ and launched a stinging attack on the government’s recent decision to allocate housing stands to legislators, branding it a thinly veiled attempt to secure President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s grip on power until 2030. The move, which comes amid growing speculation about a potential third-term bid for Mnangagwa, has sparked outrage and division within the opposition ranks.
Chamisa’s comments follow accusations that Zanu PF is attempting to buy support for Mnangagwa’s continued rule, despite constitutional limits restricting presidents to two five-year terms. The ruling party is reportedly banking on the support of a faction within the Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC), hijacked from Chamisa by controversial politician Sengezo Tshabangu.
Tshabangu, who led a group of CCC MPs to Mnangagwa’s Precabe Farm in Kwekwe last year, has hinted at his willingness to support the third-term bid, raising concerns about the integrity of the opposition and its commitment to democratic principles.
The government’s decision to parcel out housing stands to legislators last week has further fuelled suspicions of bribery and political manipulation. The timing of the allocations, amid rumours of an impeachment motion against Mnangagwa supported by former Zanu PF central committee member Blessed Geza, has raised eyebrows and drawn sharp criticism.
Responding to questions from his supporters on social media platform X, Chamisa dismissed the 2030 campaign as “nonsense” and reiterated his strong stance against corruption.
“My position on the MP’s US$40 000 bribery is well known and public,” he posted on X. “It’s all part of the broad strategy around the 2023 election corruption and the 2030 nonsense. All MPs who took the money $40k did so against my better advice. I’m allergic to corruption and all its proceeds.”
Chamisa has previously expressed his displeasure with CCC legislators for accepting US$40,000 loans in 2022, at a time when ordinary Zimbabweans were struggling to make ends meet. He argued that Parliament was not a bank and that MPs should not be accepting such financial assistance.
“CCC MPs were not supposed to drink from this poisoned chalice,” he said in a video clip captured by a local publication. “They have joined the pioneer column, they have joined the gravy train and they have crossed the line.”
Local Government minister Daniel Garwe has denied accusations that the housing stands were intended as bribes, claiming they were part of a long-standing provision for non-monetary benefits. However, sources within Parliament suggest that the impeachment plot has rattled Mnangagwa’s camp, leading to threats and intimidation tactics against MPs from both parties.
“The plan is to give the MPs more incentives to buy support in a carrot and stick approach,” said an MP who requested to remain anonymous. “Besides the bribes they are targeting certain MPs whom they are threatening with unspecified action if they support the impeachment. Some of the MPs from Harare and Mashonaland East have received unspecified threats if they support the impeachment.”
While Mnangagwa has repeatedly stated that he has no interest in staying in office beyond 2028, his loyalists have continued to push for a third term, prompting growing opposition and dissent within Zanu PF.
Meanwhile, the allocation of residential stands has also divided the CCC, with some members questioning the transparency and fairness of the process. Concerns have been raised about the fact that some MPs are benefiting from provinces where they are not resident.
CCC legislators have alleged that Zanu PF authorities were hand-picking beneficiaries without proper structures in place.
Several CCC legislators have publicly declared ignorance on the allocation of stands, but have been evasive on whether they would accept or deny the stands. They claim that the matter was not announced in Parliament, making it partisan as it was not an official Parliament business.
Willias Madzimure, spokesperson of the CCC led by Welshman Ncube, poked holes into the way the process was done. “What raises eyebrows is when a minister now determines who gets the stands,” Madzimure said. “Under normal circumstances, they should have considered clearing the backlog instead of prioritising the new MPs. MPs should be treated equally, that is why there is speculation that those who are being prioritised are said to have been bought yet it’s a condition of service for MPs which they deserve.”
CCC legislator, Clifford Hlatywayo, who is the chief whip of the opposition party led by Jameson Timba said the process lacked transparency. “We are not aware of the programme, because it was never announced in Parliament,” Hlatwayo said. “This was not announced, and I am not sure whether it is a party business or a private thing. As for me and a few colleagues, we weren’t informed. We await the announcement in Parliament then we take it from there.” Hlatwayo said the process would have been legit if MPs from the 8th Parliament were the first beneficiaries. “That is why the transparency is questionable.”
Harare West legislator Joana Mamombe vowed to block the government from parcelling out land in her constituency, which she said was a wetland. “I am still consulting with my legal advisors, but we are going to fight for the wetlands,” Mamombe said. “Forty stands are being parcelled out to MPs from Harare West. The majority of wetlands are in Harare, we have been fighting to preserve them. Some of the space we have earmarked for a sports centre to find something to occupy our youth.”
Another CCC member, Promise Mkwananzi, who sometimes acts as the spokesperson of the Timba-led faction, said the party will blacklist any MP who supports moves to bend the constitution and extend Mnangagwa’s term of office. “Anyone from the democratic movement who decides to support the alteration of the constitution to allow Mr. Mnangagwa to extend his term of office beyond the stipulated five years ending in 2028 and help him to rule by decree until 2030 or 2033 will not only be named and shamed, they will also be blacklisted for life,” said Mkwananzi.
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