Chairperson of a faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), Ethan Mathibela, has dismissed calls for Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to resign.
His remarks come after former ZANU-PF Mashonaland West provincial chairperson Temba Mliswa publicly called for Chiwenga’s resignation, accusing the Vice President of undermining President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mliswa alleged that Chiwenga had been aligning himself with opposition narratives and engaging in what he termed “content creation” aimed at subtly challenging ZANU-PF’s position on proposed constitutional amendments.
The controversy was sparked by Chiwenga’s appearance at a Roman Catholic gathering in Murewa last Saturday, where he reflected on the biblical story of King Hezekiah.
In the account, Hezekiah is told by a prophet to put his house in order as he is about to die, but after prayer is granted an additional 15 years of life — a reprieve that, according to the scripture, later carried unintended consequences.
The remarks were widely interpreted in political circles as an indirect commentary on efforts to amend Zimbabwe’s Constitution, which critics say could open the door to extending President Mnangagwa’s tenure.
Mliswa went further, describing Chiwenga’s conduct as “a brazen attack” on the President, a claim that has added further heat to already simmering tensions in the ruling establishment.
However, Mathibela has moved to shut down suggestions of internal rebellion, rejecting any calls for the Vice President’s resignation, adding that not all within liberation war veteran circles share Mliswa’s stance.
“For one so close to the President to resort to this is diplomatically gross and strategically poor,” Mliswa said.
“He should resign and then canvass for support elsewhere if he disagrees with the direction of the party.”
In response, Mathibela dismissed the calls as “misplaced, legally unfounded, and inconsistent with Zimbabwe’s constitutional order,” while warning against the politicisation of religious expression.
“The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association notes with concern recent public statements calling for the resignation of Honourable Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, premised solely on his participation in, and sharing of, a church sermon rooted in biblical teachings,” Mathibela said.
He argued that Zimbabwe’s Constitution guarantees fundamental freedoms to all citizens, including those holding high office.
“Sections 58, 60 and 61 guarantee freedom of assembly and association, freedom of conscience and religion, and freedom of expression, respectively. These rights are not selectively applied; they extend to every citizen, including public officials,” he said.
Mathibela added that holding public office does not diminish an individual’s personal liberties.
“The mere fact that the Vice President occupies high office does not curtail his right to worship, to reflect and to share his faith. To suggest otherwise is to advance a dangerous and unconstitutional doctrine,” he said.
Mathibela stressed that attending a church service and sharing scriptural reflections could not reasonably be construed as misconduct or grounds for resignation.
He said that calls for resignation in a constitutional democracy must be based on clear and substantive issues such as illegality or failure to discharge official duties, rather than matters of personal faith.
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