‘Harare is a Theatre Where Unpopular Politicians Brew Legitimacy, Tycoons Flaunt Ill-gotten Wealth’— Chamisa Says as He Tears Into Mnangagwa & Chivayo

OPPOSITION activist Nelson Chamisa used the burial of veteran Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist Augustine Rashirai in Masvingo to launch a blistering attack on President Emmerson Mnangagwa and controversial Zanu PF benefactor Wicknell Chivayo, accusing them of presiding over a corrupt and morally bankrupt system.

Rashirai, a Masvingo City parking marshal and a prominent CCC grassroots organiser, died in a road accident last Monday. He had spearheaded campaigns for several opposition councillors, including Masvingo Mayor Aleck Tabe, and was credited with helping the CCC retain key urban seats in the 2023 elections.

Speaking at the burial at Madembo homestead near Bondolfi Mission Friday, Chamisa portrayed Rashirai as a “gallant hero” who sacrificed for democratic change before turning his guns on the country’s leadership.

In a scathing Shona address, he said: “Kune vamwe vatungamiriri vasingambozivikanwe kudenga…Kune vanhu vanezvipo zvakasiyana-siyana, kune vanongoramba zvokwadi rinenenge iripo. Kuneumwe anoziva kuti iye mutete asi anozviti mukobvu, anozviona kuti iye mupfupi asi anenge achiti ndakareba, anenge achizviona kuti handidikwe iye anoti ndinodikwa. Ndosaka muchiona vanobata chibharo vaya inyaya yekuti rudo rwunenge rwanonoka panekuda…”

The remarks were widely interpreted as a direct swipe at Mnangagwa, whom Chamisa accused of clinging to power despite knowing he lacks genuine public support.

Chamisa then shifted focus to Harare, which he described as the epicentre of grand corruption and unexplained wealth:

“Ndabve Harare, handiti munoziva kuti kune problem, hakurarwe uko ndava ndiko kunematsotsi mazhinji, kunevanoita kukusha mota wovhunza kuti makaiwanepiko mari yakawanda kudai, vanowanika muHarare.

“Masvingo handisati ndambonzwa kuti kunemunhu anemweya iwowo but ku Harare hakurarwe nematsotsi iwayo. Vanoita zvinhu zvinorova zvokuti nyika yose inokokotwa kusvika yasara pakaipa. Handizikutaura zvematongerwo enyika asi ndirikutaura magariro evanhu”

Although he avoided mentioning Chivayo by name, the comments appeared aimed squarely at the tycoon, who has become notorious for splashing luxury vehicles and cash on Zanu PF loyalists, musicians, clerics and other public figures.

Chamisa suggested the extravagant giveaways were funded through illicit means, saying the country was being “drained dry” by politically connected individuals who flaunt wealth.

The opposition leader also took aim at the recently enacted Constitutional Amendment No. 3, which critics say further entrenches executive power. He described Mnangagwa’s administration as incompetent. *NewZW*

*Even CAA3 Opponents Will Benefit From Law: Mutsvangwa*
ZIMBABWEANS from all walks of life, including those who were opposed to the Constitutional Amendment Act Number Three, will eventually see light in 2030 when all ongoing infrastructural projects being undertaken under the auspices of President Emmerson Mnangagwa are complete.
This was said by guest of honour and ZANU PF national secretary for information and publicity, Cde Chris Mutsvangwa during a
CAA3 thank you rally held at Mutare Teachers’ College yesterday.

Cde Mutsvangwa said multi-million dollar projects are not an overnight thing, hence the need to give President Mnangagwa more time in office.

“President Mnangagwa, through the CAA 3 blessings that you have given him, is focusing on improving the infrastructure so that it sustains the growth of the country. The roads, railway, water reservoirs and others need more time. They are not overnight projects. By 2030, you will see significant development of infrastructure in this country.
“As a nation, we need to have President Mnangagwa sit in his office comfortably so that he can have space to accomplish all this. You are a capable and competent population as Zimbabweans. We are not even scared by people returning from South Africa because we have the capacity and plans for that in place. Not even sanctions can scare us anymore,” said Cde Mutsvangwa.

Constitutional Amendment Act Number Three text outlines various legal and structural adjustments, such as extending the Presidential and Parliamentary terms.

The Act, following debates, public consultations, and the required two-thirds majority votes in the National Assembly and the Senate, was signed into law and published in the official Government Gazette.
Speaking during the same function, Presidential Advisor, Cde Paul Tungwarara, thanked President Mnangagwa for signing CAB 3 into law.

“We are thankful to President Mnangagwa for signing the Bill into law. It is an achievement for us all as country as we map out our development trajectory,” said Cde Tungwarara.

Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza said operations in Government ministries, departments and agencies are seeing the benefits of having President Mnangagwa in office.

“We, from the Government side in Manicaland, we are saying this is now law. It is done and dusted. We are now focusing on development, development, development. We are no longer looking back to the past. We want to thank His Excellency for the signature he appended on the Bill to become an Act. Forbes Border Post expansion is starting October, the Christmas Bypass Road is now in progress, employment is being created here in Manicaland. We now have several companies that have opened in the province. Tanganda Tea Company is into value addition of avocado pears, Wattle Company is into pulp value addition, in Dorowa fertiliser production will see us no longer importing fertiliser. So many positive things are happening. CAA 3 has brought all this,” said Advocate Mugadza.

Manicaland Women’s League chairperson, Cde Dorothy Mabika, said: “I really want to thank women for coming out in their numbers during the CAB 3 campaign period. They supported the Bill in its entirety, and we are grateful to all the women for that.”

Manicaland War Veterans Association provincial chairperson, Cde Linda Matatu said: “I am here to thank the war veterans and their children for supporting the success of CAB 3. That was tremendous and let us continue supporting ZANU PF.” *Herald*