Chamisa denies dismissing anti-CAB3 coalition

Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has denied reports that he dismissed efforts by opposition activists and civic groups seeking to unite against Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), following a wave of criticism triggered by comments attributed to him in the Daily News newspaper.

The controversy erupted after the publication carried a front-page headline declaring: "This engineered pact is hopeless," with remarks reportedly attributed to Chamisa describing the proposed opposition coalition as an elite-driven initiative lacking legitimacy and unlikely to succeed.

The comments were widely interpreted as targeting Jameson Timba and Lovemore Madhuku, who are spearheading the Defend the Constitution Platform (DCP) and broader efforts to form a united front against CAB3.

The reported remarks sparked sharp reactions from activists, journalists and opposition supporters, many accusing Chamisa of weakening resistance to constitutional changes linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

However, Chamisa later issued a strongly worded response accusing the newspaper of publishing a "misleading" and fabricated story.

"I have noted with deep concern the Daily News front-page story titled, ‘This engineered pact is hopeless,' which appears to allege that I have dismissed the efforts of others to advance the struggle for a better Zimbabwe," Chamisa said.

"Regrettably, the story is misleading, is a work of editorial fiction, and is intended to inflict injury. It is a fundamental principle of journalism that reporters should report the news, not manufacture it."

Chamisa insisted he remained committed to political change and promised to unveil his own strategy in due course.

"I remain fully committed to representing the interests of the citizens of Zimbabwe and to advancing the struggle for a better country. In due course, I will be rolling out a plan aimed at achieving that goal," he said.

Despite the clarification, criticism from some opposition figures and activists continued to intensify online.

Political activist Sandile Makeba accused Chamisa of abandoning the opposition movement at a critical political moment before appearing to attack those trying to organise resistance.

"Chamisa cannot spend years positioning himself as the face of democratic resistance, disappear at the most critical constitutional moment, then attack leaders trying to fill the leadership vacuum," Makeba wrote on X.

Investigative journalist Hopewell Chin'ono also questioned whether Zimbabweans were expected to remain passive while CAB3 advances through Parliament.

"Does Nelson Chamisa want Zimbabweans to simply sit back and watch Constitutional Amendment No. 3 being pushed through without resistance?" Chin'ono asked.

He argued that Chamisa had previously encouraged citizens to organise independently, making any criticism of emerging opposition initiatives appear contradictory.

As backlash mounted, Chamisa later posted another message widely interpreted as an indirect criticism of attempts to extend presidential term limits.

"When leaders come, they must go. When leaders serve, they must leave. Unless they are dealers and crooks. True leaders know when to leave. Dealers and crooks never do," he wrote.

Although he did not directly mention Mnangagwa or CAB3, many interpreted the statement as a veiled reference to ongoing efforts to extend the president's stay in office.

Meanwhile, commentary published by The NewsHawks argued that Zimbabwe's opposition had become increasingly fragmented following the collapse of the CCC, weakening its ability to effectively challenge ZANU PF.

Pro-ZANU PF commentator Levison Chambati also mocked the divisions, sarcastically thanking Chamisa for what he described as indirect support for CAB3.

CAB3 has generated widespread opposition from legal experts, churches, civic groups and opposition parties. Critics argue the proposed amendments could weaken democratic safeguards, centralise executive authority and undermine constitutional protections.

Among the proposals reportedly linked to the bill are extending Mnangagwa's final presidential term from 2028 to 2030, extending Parliament's term by two years and replacing direct presidential elections with a parliamentary selection process.

This week, Catholic bishops in Zimbabwe warned that the proposed amendments risk weakening institutional independence and eroding constitutional safeguards against abuse of power.

The escalating dispute has further exposed growing divisions within Zimbabwe's opposition politics as debate over CAB3 intensifies ahead of future political battles.