Chiwenga fires cryptic warning

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga has urged Zimbabweans not to lose sight of their history, warning that abandoning truth and forgetting the nation's past could have serious consequences.

Speaking at the burial of Callista Chimhini in Honde Valley yesterday, Chiwenga used a series of biblical and traditional allegories to encourage citizens to remain grounded in faith, humility and truth.

Callista Chimhini, a respected midwifery specialist and sister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister Anselem Sanyatwe, was remembered for her dedication to helping others.

Drawing inspiration from her work, Chiwenga called on Zimbabweans to become "midwives" to their communities by nurturing and supporting one another.

"Like the way she helped people as a midwifery specialist, let us be midwives to all our neighbours," Chiwenga said.

"Assist them to be strong believers, with love — not pretentious love."

The Vice-President cautioned against complacency and overconfidence, saying the future remains uncertain and that people should never assume they know better than God.

"Let sleep not make us forget where we are coming from, because the future is unknown. Let us never think that we can know everything better than God," he said.

Using a vivid metaphor, Chiwenga warned against actions detached from wisdom and truth.

"We will be beating a drum with an axe while sitting on a spear; nothing will come out of that. Let us always stand with the truth; God will reward us."

He further urged Zimbabweans to be each other's keeper, adding that those who believe they can outsmart God lack wisdom.

The remarks come as Chiwenga continues to make public statements widely interpreted as commentary on the country's political trajectory and the contentious Constitution Amendment No. 3 Bill (CAB 3).

The Vice-President, who has recently invoked biblical narratives in several public appearances, has drawn attention for remarks seen as indirect criticism of efforts to amend constitutional provisions relating to presidential terms and electoral processes.

Last month, Chiwenga stirred debate among supporters of President Emmerson Mnangagwa after delivering a sermon on the biblical King Hezekiah at a Roman Catholic Church event. Critics and supporters alike interpreted the message as an allegorical warning against attempts to extend political power through constitutional changes.

He also recently told mourners at the funeral of the wife of the late nationalist and former minister Kumbirai Kangai that Zimbabwe's liberation struggle was fought for land and the principle of "one-man, one-vote," remarks that were similarly viewed as criticism of proposals to remove direct presidential elections.

Observers have linked these interventions to the ongoing debate surrounding CAB 3, which has generated significant discussion within both Zanu PF and broader Zimbabwean society.

Callista Chimhini was the wife of former MDC and MDC-T legislator David Chimhini.

Chiwenga attended the burial alongside his wife, Minoyothabo. Other notable figures present included Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Misheck Mugadza, former Finance Minister Tendai Biti, and retired Lieutenant General Engelbert Rugeje.

The Vice-President has previously cautioned Zanu PF against repeating mistakes associated with the final years of former President Robert Mugabe's administration, warning that the ruling party should learn from history following Mugabe's removal from power in November 2017.