Chamisa's lawyer describes Chinamasa as 'a conflicted charlatan'

Nelson Chamisa's lawyer and close ally, Advocate Thabani Mpofu has escalated his public dispute with Zanu-PF former legal affairs secretary Patrick Chinamasa, describing Chinamasa as "a conflicted charlatan" whose response to recent party constitutional changes is "arid" and "rubbish."

The confrontation stems from Mpofu's criticism of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's recent politburo reshuffle, which he described as unconstitutional and invalid. The changes included the replacement of secretary-general Obert Mpofu with Jacob Mudenda and the promotion of Chinamasa from legal affairs secretary to treasurer-general.

Chinamasa defended the reshuffle, citing Zanu-PF's party constitution, but Mpofu fired back, arguing the party operates under three different constitutions, including one that was never ratified by its congress.

"I have read this arid piece of literature from a conflicted charlatan, himself an undeserving beneficiary of the patent illegality in issue," Mpofu said. "He does not even know which of the three constitutions he is addressing. He cannot assert that his version was ratified by Congress and as to the interpretation to be given to the provisions, those are written in English and we all went to school. I'm finally enthralled by how long it took Patrick to respond and even then, saying this rubbish."

The spat has drawn attention from political analysts, with Professor Jonathan Moyo previously weighing in to argue that Mpofu's interpretation was based on a "wrong constitution." The dispute highlights the ongoing tensions and legal wrangling within Zanu-PF following Mnangagwa's politburo reshuffle.

The debate shows no signs of cooling, with both sides digging in on their interpretation of party rules and constitutional legality.