Chamisa returns to Zimbabwe for holidays

Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has quietly returned to Zimbabwe for the Christmas holidays, ending months of speculation surrounding his whereabouts and political future.

Chamisa, who has been living, studying, and working in the United States, slipped back into the country earlier this week. His first public appearance was in Mbare, where he paid condolences to the Dadzwa family following the death of their matriarch.

"I'm in Mbare to pay condolences to the Dadzwa family for the loss of our beloved mother. I remain deeply touched by the love of the citizens of Zimbabwe. RIP Mama Dadzwa," Chamisa said during the visit.

Sources close to the former opposition leader say he is expected to return to the U.S. after the festive season.

His return comes after a prolonged period of debate and uncertainty, largely fuelled by online indicators suggesting he had effectively relocated. Geo-location data on X (formerly Twitter) had placed him in the United States for several months, sparking theories that he had stepped away from frontline politics.

Chamisa's silence and physical absence deepened divisions within the opposition, with supporters expressing confusion over his next steps while critics accused him of abandoning the struggle.

In recent months, Chamisa's leadership record has also faced renewed scrutiny. Critics argue that from the MDC-T era to the CCC, he systematically sidelined internal rivals and contributed to factionalism that weakened the opposition's institutional framework.

His 2023 election strategy - dubbed "strategic ambiguity" - remains the subject of heated debate. While supporters viewed it as smart political manoeuvring, detractors claim it created opacity around donor contributions and accountability structures. Chamisa raised substantial funds ahead of the 2023 vote, drawing donations from Zimbabweans at home and across the diaspora. Opponents allege he left the battlefield with "tens of millions," while his supporters were left uncertain about the opposition's direction.

During Chamisa's time in the U.S., the opposition landscape splintered further. High-profile figures such as Job Sikhala and Tendai Biti emerged as alternative centres of influence. Former MPs such as Chalton Hwende and Joanna Mamombe faced internal backlash for continuing parliamentary duties despite Chamisa's call for a boycott - a reminder of the fractured cohesion within the movement.

Analysts say Chamisa's prolonged absence, followed by his sudden reappearance, has exposed persistent structural weaknesses in the opposition, including over-reliance on individual leaders and the absence of strong, enduring institutions.

Chamisa has remained silent on his political intentions, leaving speculation to mount over whether his return signals merely a holiday visit or the beginning of a renewed political push.

What is clear, however, is that his presence has re-energised his supporters, who still view him as the opposition's most influential figure. At the same time, detractors argue his brief reappearance vindicates long-standing concerns about his leadership style and strategic direction.

As Zimbabwe enters the festive season amid economic hardships and political uncertainty, Chamisa's return may prove to be a pivotal moment - potentially opening the door to a reset within the opposition, or marking yet another chapter in its ongoing turbulence.