Opinion / Columnist
Chiwenga's Inauguration Trip to Tanzania Exposed His Confusion*
2 hrs ago |
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We still remember the beastly slap Generali Chiwenga gave Advocate Priscilla Chigumba in 2018.
Under German law §20 StGB, nicht zurechnungsfähig refers to someone deemed "not criminally responsible" - a legal term for individuals who, due to mental or psychological disorders, intellectual impairment, or disturbed consciousness, cannot understand the unlawfulness of their actions. In Chiwenga's case, this definition feels disturbingly apt.
Returning from Tanzania, where he shadowed President Mnangagwa at President Suluhu Hassan's inauguration, Chiwenga was interviewed about the volatile Tanzanian elections. He indirectly condemned the violence, subtly countering Mnangagwa's congratulatory message. But Zimbabweans know Chiwenga as the architect of violence since independence.
His sudden moral posture shocked many. This is the man behind Gukurahundi, the bloody farm invasions, Operation Murambatsvina (which left 750,000 homeless), and the 2008 elections - where thousands were murdered or maimed. What moral ground does he stand on? *Kurova imbwa wakaviga mupini.* Has he forgotten the atrocities he committed?
Fast forward to the 2017 coup that wasn't a coup. The 2018 elections were marred by mistrust. During vote counting, Chiwenga stormed ZEC offices in rage and slapped Advocate Chigumba - unsure if she would declare Mnangagwa the winner. Her face was visibly swollen for days, yet she continued announcing results.
Chiwenga's violence against women is well documented - from Joseline to Mary Mubayiwa. He uses women as scapegoats for his frustrations. Miniyothabo Baloyi will learn this in time. He is, by definition, a misogynist.
After the 2018 elections, six people were gunned down in cold blood - on Chiwenga's orders, not Mnangagwa's. Again in January 2019, more lives were lost during protests. These deaths were commanded directly by Chiwenga.
Now, this same man criticizes Tanzania's bloody elections - not out of concern for lives lost, but to score political points against Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa praised Suluhu Hassan's victory; Chiwenga sought to undermine him. But Mnangagwa will always outmaneuver Chiwenga with experience.
Chiwenga seems unaware of his legacy of violence. He shifts roles without guilt, never acknowledging the magnitude of his crimes. Public perception of him as a murderer doesn't disturb his sleep.
He also fails to see his diminished power. Mnangagwa's trip to Doha showed his confidence in the army - an institution Chiwenga once controlled. Since 2018, Mnangagwa has consolidated power. Chiwenga was outplayed in a seven-year chess match.
Even within ZANU PF, many want Mnangagwa gone. But because he controls the army, Chiwenga can no longer challenge him effectively.
The Tanzanian bloodshed came at a terrible time for the SADC region. Kenya has seen violence. Uganda faces elections in 2026. South Africa teeters on collapse. Zimbabwe's instability is chronic. The ZANU government is deaf to its people's cries.
Who would have thought Tanzania - a peaceful, multi-tribal nation - would lose over 1,000 lives in five days? The myth of Tanzanian stability has been shattered. Upcoming African elections are now feared. South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini may soon mimic Tanzania's repression.
Chiwenga should have advised President Suluhu Hassan to reconcile with major opposition parties, not glorify minor ones. Reconciliation was absent from all presidential speeches at the inauguration.
Disappointingly, Hakainde Hichilema spoke only of his party, the UPND. He claimed never to have supported demonstrations. But Zambia and Tanzania are different. Political dynamics vary. Leaders must not trivialize how citizens respond to their governments.
As the adage goes: *Do not lift your armpits if they are smelly.* African leaders often speak on matters they know little about. Demonstrations are the people's voice. Suppressing them is denying the very citizens they claim to serve.
Geopolitics make African populations vulnerable. Western nations once upheld democratic values. They sanctioned countries that violated them. Zimbabwe remains under sanctions.
But sanctions have lost their power. African presidents now act with impunity - killing and maiming citizens without fear of Western consequences. Global condemnations from the UN, EU, and AU mean little. Tanzania has not been punished for its mass killings.
Western duplicity is evident. Despotic African leaders tied to former colonial powers escape criticism. President Biya of Cameroon, aged 92, wins elections unchallenged. Where in the West does a 92-year-old lead a nation?
The West's proxy wars expose their hypocrisy. They support Ukraine - a country that banned opposition parties, the Orthodox Church, and conscripts youth for war. The 2014 Maidan coup was Western-backed. Ukraine bleeds its youth to defend Western values.
Western nations also support Israel, despite its genocidal campaign against Palestinians. Over 100,000 have died in Gaza through bombings and starvation.
In this context, the West cannot credibly condemn African leaders who butcher unarmed citizens. One death is too many. Tanzania's 1,000 deaths are just the beginning. A storm of discontent is brewing across SADC.
In 2026, nine African countries will hold elections. When fear disappears, people no longer fear bullets or death. They spoil for uprising. *The tree of liberty is watered with blood.*
Colonizers waited for this moment - when Africans would fail to run modern economies. Even the Sahel, once hopeful, is under insurgent control. Military establishments are failing. Sub-Saharan Africa is lost in confusion.
For the love of everything African - I rest my case.
Under German law §20 StGB, nicht zurechnungsfähig refers to someone deemed "not criminally responsible" - a legal term for individuals who, due to mental or psychological disorders, intellectual impairment, or disturbed consciousness, cannot understand the unlawfulness of their actions. In Chiwenga's case, this definition feels disturbingly apt.
Returning from Tanzania, where he shadowed President Mnangagwa at President Suluhu Hassan's inauguration, Chiwenga was interviewed about the volatile Tanzanian elections. He indirectly condemned the violence, subtly countering Mnangagwa's congratulatory message. But Zimbabweans know Chiwenga as the architect of violence since independence.
His sudden moral posture shocked many. This is the man behind Gukurahundi, the bloody farm invasions, Operation Murambatsvina (which left 750,000 homeless), and the 2008 elections - where thousands were murdered or maimed. What moral ground does he stand on? *Kurova imbwa wakaviga mupini.* Has he forgotten the atrocities he committed?
Fast forward to the 2017 coup that wasn't a coup. The 2018 elections were marred by mistrust. During vote counting, Chiwenga stormed ZEC offices in rage and slapped Advocate Chigumba - unsure if she would declare Mnangagwa the winner. Her face was visibly swollen for days, yet she continued announcing results.
Chiwenga's violence against women is well documented - from Joseline to Mary Mubayiwa. He uses women as scapegoats for his frustrations. Miniyothabo Baloyi will learn this in time. He is, by definition, a misogynist.
After the 2018 elections, six people were gunned down in cold blood - on Chiwenga's orders, not Mnangagwa's. Again in January 2019, more lives were lost during protests. These deaths were commanded directly by Chiwenga.
Now, this same man criticizes Tanzania's bloody elections - not out of concern for lives lost, but to score political points against Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa praised Suluhu Hassan's victory; Chiwenga sought to undermine him. But Mnangagwa will always outmaneuver Chiwenga with experience.
Chiwenga seems unaware of his legacy of violence. He shifts roles without guilt, never acknowledging the magnitude of his crimes. Public perception of him as a murderer doesn't disturb his sleep.
He also fails to see his diminished power. Mnangagwa's trip to Doha showed his confidence in the army - an institution Chiwenga once controlled. Since 2018, Mnangagwa has consolidated power. Chiwenga was outplayed in a seven-year chess match.
Even within ZANU PF, many want Mnangagwa gone. But because he controls the army, Chiwenga can no longer challenge him effectively.
The Tanzanian bloodshed came at a terrible time for the SADC region. Kenya has seen violence. Uganda faces elections in 2026. South Africa teeters on collapse. Zimbabwe's instability is chronic. The ZANU government is deaf to its people's cries.
Who would have thought Tanzania - a peaceful, multi-tribal nation - would lose over 1,000 lives in five days? The myth of Tanzanian stability has been shattered. Upcoming African elections are now feared. South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini may soon mimic Tanzania's repression.
Chiwenga should have advised President Suluhu Hassan to reconcile with major opposition parties, not glorify minor ones. Reconciliation was absent from all presidential speeches at the inauguration.
Disappointingly, Hakainde Hichilema spoke only of his party, the UPND. He claimed never to have supported demonstrations. But Zambia and Tanzania are different. Political dynamics vary. Leaders must not trivialize how citizens respond to their governments.
As the adage goes: *Do not lift your armpits if they are smelly.* African leaders often speak on matters they know little about. Demonstrations are the people's voice. Suppressing them is denying the very citizens they claim to serve.
Geopolitics make African populations vulnerable. Western nations once upheld democratic values. They sanctioned countries that violated them. Zimbabwe remains under sanctions.
But sanctions have lost their power. African presidents now act with impunity - killing and maiming citizens without fear of Western consequences. Global condemnations from the UN, EU, and AU mean little. Tanzania has not been punished for its mass killings.
Western duplicity is evident. Despotic African leaders tied to former colonial powers escape criticism. President Biya of Cameroon, aged 92, wins elections unchallenged. Where in the West does a 92-year-old lead a nation?
The West's proxy wars expose their hypocrisy. They support Ukraine - a country that banned opposition parties, the Orthodox Church, and conscripts youth for war. The 2014 Maidan coup was Western-backed. Ukraine bleeds its youth to defend Western values.
Western nations also support Israel, despite its genocidal campaign against Palestinians. Over 100,000 have died in Gaza through bombings and starvation.
In this context, the West cannot credibly condemn African leaders who butcher unarmed citizens. One death is too many. Tanzania's 1,000 deaths are just the beginning. A storm of discontent is brewing across SADC.
In 2026, nine African countries will hold elections. When fear disappears, people no longer fear bullets or death. They spoil for uprising. *The tree of liberty is watered with blood.*
Colonizers waited for this moment - when Africans would fail to run modern economies. Even the Sahel, once hopeful, is under insurgent control. Military establishments are failing. Sub-Saharan Africa is lost in confusion.
For the love of everything African - I rest my case.
Source - Nomazulu Thata
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