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Mnangagwa farm tour sparks outrage and political backlash
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A recent field tour of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's Precabe farm by a faction of opposition Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC) lawmakers has sparked a wave of outrage and condemnation across the political spectrum in Zimbabwe. The event, led by self-styled CCC interim secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu, saw MPs openly endorse Mnangagwa's bid to extend his stay in office beyond the constitutionally permissible two terms, which end in 2028.
The tour, which took place in Kwekwe, Midlands province, saw notable CCC members, including Thokozani Khupe, Kucaca Phulu, Juliana Makuvire, Nonhlanhla Mhlotswa, Charles Moyo, Bridget Nyandoro, Samantha Mureyanj, Otillia Sibanda, Lillian Sibanda, and Constance Chiota, openly chant Zanu-PF slogans in support of Mnangagwa's 2030 agenda.
Tshabangu, speaking during the event, declared, "If our presence here improves your stay in power and makes the people of Zimbabwe happy, then let it be," drawing thunderous applause from Zanu-PF legislators and members of his ‘sellout' CCC faction.
The Sunday gathering, which was supposedly intended for a familiarisation tour of Mnangagwa's farming operations, quickly morphed into a political endorsement of Mnangagwa's controversial extension of tenure. Former CCC MP Fadzayi Mahere condemned the event as a "mockery" of democracy, calling it a scandal that undermines the electorate's will and reduces Parliament to a farcical entity.
"This is no longer Parliament. It's a crime scene… Mahumbwe chaiwo (a joke). We need new leaders," Mahere posted on social media. She added that the event exemplified how opposition lawmakers were aligning themselves with Mnangagwa and his ruling party, Zanu-PF, rather than serving the interests of the electorate.
Exiled former Cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere also criticized the field tour, labeling it as "rubbish" and calling for a referendum to challenge the arrangement. "Let him call for a referendum on this rubbish. We will land in Harare and defeat this satanic arrangement," he said.
Political activist Job Sikhala accused the lawmakers of betraying the opposition's cause and aligning with the oppressor. "From the day you visit Precabe Farm, pretending to be opposition must be the day you must know that we will treat you the way we treat Zanu-PF. You are the enemy of the people, and you must be treated as such!!!" Sikhala stated.
This divisive event has further deepened the rift within Zimbabwean politics, with factions of both Zanu-PF and CCC accusing each other of betraying democratic principles for personal or partisan gains.
The tour, which took place in Kwekwe, Midlands province, saw notable CCC members, including Thokozani Khupe, Kucaca Phulu, Juliana Makuvire, Nonhlanhla Mhlotswa, Charles Moyo, Bridget Nyandoro, Samantha Mureyanj, Otillia Sibanda, Lillian Sibanda, and Constance Chiota, openly chant Zanu-PF slogans in support of Mnangagwa's 2030 agenda.
Tshabangu, speaking during the event, declared, "If our presence here improves your stay in power and makes the people of Zimbabwe happy, then let it be," drawing thunderous applause from Zanu-PF legislators and members of his ‘sellout' CCC faction.
The Sunday gathering, which was supposedly intended for a familiarisation tour of Mnangagwa's farming operations, quickly morphed into a political endorsement of Mnangagwa's controversial extension of tenure. Former CCC MP Fadzayi Mahere condemned the event as a "mockery" of democracy, calling it a scandal that undermines the electorate's will and reduces Parliament to a farcical entity.
"This is no longer Parliament. It's a crime scene… Mahumbwe chaiwo (a joke). We need new leaders," Mahere posted on social media. She added that the event exemplified how opposition lawmakers were aligning themselves with Mnangagwa and his ruling party, Zanu-PF, rather than serving the interests of the electorate.
Exiled former Cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere also criticized the field tour, labeling it as "rubbish" and calling for a referendum to challenge the arrangement. "Let him call for a referendum on this rubbish. We will land in Harare and defeat this satanic arrangement," he said.
Political activist Job Sikhala accused the lawmakers of betraying the opposition's cause and aligning with the oppressor. "From the day you visit Precabe Farm, pretending to be opposition must be the day you must know that we will treat you the way we treat Zanu-PF. You are the enemy of the people, and you must be treated as such!!!" Sikhala stated.
This divisive event has further deepened the rift within Zimbabwean politics, with factions of both Zanu-PF and CCC accusing each other of betraying democratic principles for personal or partisan gains.
Source - NewZimbabwe
