Political activist Freeman Chari has warned opposition supporters to steer clear of ZANU PF’s factional battles, saying that neither faction, one backing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term extension to 2030, the other supporting his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, is anything more than a guise for a military dictatorship.
Chari said that as long as either faction is in power and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) continues to run elections in the country, Zimbabwe will never hold free and fair polls.
The warning comes amid recent clashes between Chiwenga and Mnangagwa in the ZANU-PF Politburo. Chiwenga has accused Mnangagwa’s close associates, including Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Delish Nguwaya, Pedzai Sakupwanya, and Wicknell Chivayo, of rampant corruption and state capture.
Mnangagwa has hit back, describing Chiwenga as “ignorant,” prone to “emotional outbursts,” “in denial,” “immature,” and “not a good follower.”
The president suggested that Chiwenga does not understand the principles of democracy or the distinction between civilian and military conduct.
He proposed a reorientation course at the Chitepo School of Ideology for the entire Politburo and Central Committee, focusing on the supremacy of the Party and the basic tenets of democracy.
Posting on X, Chari said Chiwenga had been part of the ZANU PF Praesidium when ZEC allegedly rigged elections in 2028 and 2023. Said Chari:
“Those saying by highlighting Chiwenga’s transgressions we are supporting Mnangagwa’s 2030 bid & mutilation of the constitution fail to understand that Zimbabwe is a military dictatorship. As long as Chiwenga, ED, ZANU and ZEC are there, there is no constitution or 2028 elections.
“Why would 2028 be an election if ZANU PF can determine who becomes an MP or not? You saw that with Tshabangu.
“Chiwenga was there when Dexter Nduna was made an MP against all common sense. Chiwenga was there when the delimitation exercise by ZEC blatantly and flagrantly disregarded the constitution.
“Chiwenga was there when Malaba’s term was extended unconstitutionally. He was also there when ZEC rigged the 2018 elections. He was also there when ZEC created dubious polling stations a month before the elections in 2023.
“When ZEC refused with the voters’ roll or when somehow people were denied their right to vote by throttling ballot paper distribution in CCC’s strongholds, he was there!
“There is no indication that with or without Mnangagwa, the mutilation of the constitution will stop. Anyone who is clamouring about protecting the 2028 elections is no worse than any other ZANU-PF charlatan.
“There was no election in 2023, and there will be no election in 2028 as long as the military is in charge of government.
“Our position is not to sanitise our oppressors. We proved beyond a reasonable doubt that elections under the current system, led by ED and Chiwenga, run by the military, will always be a sham.
“We sanitised them in 2017, 2018 and 2023, but we will not do the same in 2028. They can do whatever they want, but we won’t be part of it.
“No amount of rebranding or blackmail can whitewash the architects of our suffering!
“Our preoccupation is organising alternative means of removing them completely.”
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