Nelson Chamisa announces political comeback to full-time politics, vows to challenge President Mnangagwa

Harare – Former opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has announced his return to full-time politics, vowing to never abandon Zimbabweans who believe in him and his ability to challenge Zanu PF’s continued grip on power. Chamisa made the announcement while also criticising alleged attempts by some Zanu PF members to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office from 2028 to 2030.

Mnangagwa has repeatedly stated his commitment to upholding the constitution and has publicly denied any intention to extend his term.

Chamisa, however, dismissed the alleged “2030 agenda” as “nonsense.”

“Over two million Zimbabweans have shown their consistent trust and support, and I appreciate that,” Chamisa told The Standard yesterday. “I will never betray these great Zimbabweans.”

“The whole 2030 nonsense is a desperate attempt to avoid the people, and a desperate attempt to avoid the elections,” Chamisa stated. “It is an attempt to create a window for further destroying an otherwise beautiful country.”

Chamisa’s announcement comes after a period of relative silence following his departure from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) last year. He had taken a “sabbatical” from politics after self-styled CCC secretary-general, Sengezo Tshabangu, effectively snatched the party from him.

Chamisa had launched the CCC in January 2022 after leaving the MDC Alliance.

Tshabangu went on to recall a number of CCC legislators, resulting in costly by-elections that saw Zanu PF regain a two-thirds majority in Parliament. He has been widely dismissed as a Zanu PF proxy, a charge he vehemently denies.

“Leaving the CCC is different from leaving the people of Zimbabwe whom I so deeply respect and value,” Chamisa said, emphasising his continued commitment to the Zimbabwean people despite his departure from the party.

A few CCC lawmakers such as Fadzayi Mahere also quit the opposition party in solidarity with Chamisa.

“I left the old vehicle only because Zanu PF had captured and compromised it,” Chamisa explained. “As a matter of principle, leaving the old vehicle was necessary because people now know who is and who. It’s now so clear who is with the people and who is not. It admits of no debate as to who is clean and who is not. All their true colours are out there in the open. The old vehicle had, by manipulation, become a creation and poodle of Zanu PF.”

Chamisa also directed criticism towards Mnangagwa, accusing him of misgovernance.

“After the 2018 and 2023 elections, my competitor, Mr Mnangagwa, never forgave the people for voting against him and his party; he instead has gone to punish the people with high taxes, deadening impoverishment, rampant corruption, mis-governance, poor services and untold suffering,” he alleged.

“The people of Zimbabwe have consistently voted for change. And that reality doesn’t change on account of repetition of a lie,” Chamisa asserted. “Mnangagwa was not elected in 2023 although he was declared the winner in a disputed election. The election results were condemned by Zimbabweans, Sadc and all international bodies.”

Zanu PF adopted a resolution at its annual conference last year to have the constitution amended to extend Mnangagwa’s term of office despite the president having publicly expressed himself on the matter.

Chamisa has twice contested Mnangagwa in the presidential elections. In both the 2018 and 2023 elections, Chamisa alleged vote fraud and refused to accept the results.

Chamisa’s return to the political arena is likely to energise his supporters and reshape the opposition landscape in Zimbabwe. His renewed commitment to challenging Zanu PF’s rule sets the stage for what could be a highly contested political future.

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