Mnangagwa is far much better than Mugabe’— opposition MP Hwende sparks outrage with his comparison
KUWADZANA East legislator Charlton Hwende appears to have once again thrown himself into controversy, this time with comments comparing President Emmerson Mnangagwa favourably to his predecessor, Robert Mugabe.
Just last week, speaking in Bulawayo at Job Sikhala’s book launch, Hwende made remarks to the effect that the opposition had deserted Sikhala during his imprisonment. He implied that Sikhala’s prolonged detention at Chikurubi Maximum Prison was due to insufficient pressure from the opposition to secure his release.
More recently, following President Mnangagwa’s unexpected visit to the National Assembly during a question-and-answer session, Hwende seized upon the Zanu-PF leader’s gesture to draw a stark contrast between Mnangagwa and Mugabe.
Hwende argued that Mnangagwa’s three appearances at Parly business made him “way better” than Mugabe – a view that has ignited a storm on social media. Critics have accused Hwende of having “sold out” long ago, suggesting that his former CCC party leader, Nelson Chamisa, was right to distance himself from what they described as a “poisoned chalice.”
“Mugabe never attended Parliament outside the official opening ceremonies. This is the third time that President ED has come to Parliament outside the official opening ceremonies. Next time we must have the President during questioning time responding to our questions,” Hwende wrote on his X account recently.
When challenged on X to explain his post, Hwende doubled down, suggesting that Mnangagwa was indeed superior to Mugabe.
“Comparing him with Mugabe, he is far much better,” Hwende posted.
This comment did not sit well with many on X, who bombarded Hwende with messages, subjecting him to ridicule.
One X user, Kandawasvika, suggested that Hwende’s praise of Mnangagwa was evidence that he worked with self-appointed CCC Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu to destabilise the party by recalling councillors and MPs, with Chamisa as their primary target.
“This guy was actually the SG expected to organise the opposition against Emmerson. Now I’ve no doubt that he worked with chabangu to destroy the opposition,” they said.
Others argued that even in his “cruelty and dictatorship,” Mugabe did not seize control of the opposition party and hand it over to his “proxies.”
“Mugabe didn’t take our party and gave it to his proxies,” said X user Mboniso Moyo.
Another X user, Clemy Tinashe, lamented the perceived lack of calibre among opposition figures.
“The calibre of the people we are banking on as the alternative is ridiculously shocking! We are heading nowhere as a country.”
Some users also suggested that Chamisa was justified in leaving the CCC, arguing that working with individuals like Hwende was a recipe for failure.
“I see most people blaming Chamisa about his decisions to leave CCC but how can you build a political party with sell outs like this one,” questioned X user Tapfuma.
