Mnangagwa must stop spilling blood, says Chamisa

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa Monday made a plea on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stop spilling the blood of innocent Zimbabweans in the name of politics as he vowed not to retaliate against what he said was "extreme provocation" on his party.

Mnangagwa's fiercest opponent in elections due this month was leading thousands of party followers mourn late activist Tinashe Chitsunge who was violently attacked by alleged Zanu-PF supporters in Harare's Glenview suburb leading to his death.

Chamisa visited Chitsunge's home on Monday to condole with the family.

News of his pending visit drew thousands of the party faithful to Chitsunge's home.

Business came to a standstill in the high-density suburb which became a sea of yellow – CCC colours – with some activists perched on trees and rooftops to follow the event.

Chamisa blamed Chitsunge's death on the culture of violence that has pervaded political contest in Zimbabwe under the ruling Zanu-PF administration.

"Dear Mnangagwa, you cannot lead a country full of graves. This should come to an end. Life is precious.

"We did not go to war so that we can kill each other. We need peace in this country. We need healing in this country," Chamisa said.

The opposition leader said his party will not retaliate in the face of what he described as "extreme provocation" by political rivals.

"What they are good at is spilling blood.  We get provoked…but we unite people even when there is extreme provocation by Zanu-PF," he said.

In words of comfort to the Chitsunge family, Chamisa said it was saddening that the activist left behind a young family.

"It is very painful when you look at these children, Zanu-PF has denied these children their future because their father simply decided to support what it did not agree with," said the opposition chief.

Chamisa said to Chitsunge's wife, "We are saddened by this and may you find comfort in the Lord and be strong.

"His children will not be orphans before God. God will remember them."

Chitsunge left behind, his wife, Dzidzisai, 27, and two children aged 11 and four respectively.

Mourners had gathered during the early morning hours while others spent the night at his home singing and comforting the family.

During the funeral procession, mourners marched to the spot where he was attacked.

Following his attack, a total of 13 suspected Zanu-PF supporters have been arrested charged with public violence.

Monday's ceremony was graced by ESwatini opposition People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) leader Mlungisi Makhanya who also paid condolences to Chitsunge's family.

"The loss and coldblooded killing of Tinashe is not only a loss to his family, community here in Harare and the CCC but is a loss to all of us," Makhanya.

"So, we want to see change in Zimbabwe, the African continent… we all want to see a better life for our people. Your loss is our loss.

"President Chamisa, we are here today because we appreciate you, we know you are not just a leader of the CCC and that your love for the African people goes beyond the Zimbabwean borders.

"When the tyrannical monarch in Swaziland (ESwatini) killed hundreds of our people in June 2021, President Chamisa was one of the few leaders who dispatched a high-level delegation to come and offer us solidarity, support and strength.

"When (King) Mswati killed Advocate Thulani Maseko, again Chamisa sent high level leadership of the CCC to come and offer us solidarity and support.

"So, we are here because of the great work of President Chamisa.

"We want to appeal to all of you, let us not allow the courageous blood of Tinashe to be split in vain.

"The best revenge and honour to comrade Tinashe that we can do is to come out in our numbers on the 23rd and vote for change.

"We must make sure that we bring all our relatives and friends to come and pay a befitting honour to Tinashe by making sure that President Chamisa becomes the state President."