Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has declared that President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ruling Zanu PF party are experiencing sleepless nights, owing to his return to active politics and his determination to challenge their continued hold on power.
Chamisa’s assertion follows his resurgence into the political arena, after a period of relative absence following the controversial events within the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
Chamisa had stepped back from active politics last year after self-imposed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu snatched the party from him. He had launched the CCC in January 2022 after dumping the MDC Alliance.
Tshabangu went on to recall a number of CCC legislators, resulting in costly by-elections that saw Zanu PF regaining a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Tshabangu has been dismissed as a Zanu PF proxy, a charge he denies.
However, Chamisa has now stepped up his public engagements, signalling a strong return to frontline politics and intensifying pressure on President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ruling Zanu PF.
Speaking on Monday during the burial of Tichaona Mutandiri (91) in Manyoni Village 7, Mhondoro, Chamisa said he was undeterred and prepared to take Zanu PF head-on.
Referring to his critics, Chamisa added: “You might wonder how it’s possible with this small body. But it’s not the size of the dog that matters—it’s the fight in the dog. Even an elephant can be troubled by an ant.”
Chamisa also took aim at the deteriorating state of rural infrastructure, blaming it on poor leadership.
“You were saying Mhondoro is near, but the journey was long because of bad roads. That alone should prompt us to pray for leaders who care about the people’s welfare,” he said. “We have leaders, but their impact is invisible. We need leadership that prioritises better roads, schools, and clinics—all of which are currently missing.”
The late Mutandiri, father to South Africa-based activist Munjodzi Mutandiri, passed away at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital after suffering two strokes. He is survived by his wife Chipo and eight children.
Chamisa’s re-emergence comes after self-imposed CCC interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu controversially seized control of the party, leading to the recall of several legislators and enabling Zanu PF to reclaim a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
Tshabangu, widely dismissed as a Zanu PF proxy—a charge he denies—triggered costly by-elections that left the opposition fractured. Chamisa had launched CCC in January 2022 after breaking away from the MDC Alliance, but kept a low profile after the party split.
Chamisa, who last year temporarily withdrew from active politics following internal turmoil in the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), is now increasing his visibility across the country.
Now, with public appearances and political commentary, Chamisa appears to be reasserting himself as a key opposition figure ahead of anticipated political battles.
Chamisa’s remarks follow mounting criticism over his recent return to frontline politics, just months after stepping away from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
In an interview with The Standard published days earlier, Chamisa explained: “Leaving the CCC is different from leaving the people of Zimbabwe whom I so deeply respect and value. I left the old vehicle only because ZANU-PF had captured and compromised it.”
He also described ZANU PF’s “Vision 2030” agenda as a distraction. “The whole 2030 nonsense is a desperate attempt to avoid the people… It is an attempt to create a window for further destroying an otherwise beautiful country.”
But his comeback has not been warmly received by everyone. Some Zimbabweans expressed frustration over what they see as political inconsistency.
One user on X wrote: “He must get a life. Hatisi imbwa dzake isu. Ngaamiswe hake mukomana (We are not his dogs. That young man must be initiated).”
Another commented: “I’m not going to waste my time ever again going to vote in Zimbabwe. The opposition are a paid lot and they don’t care about the masses.”
Others accused him of abandoning the struggle only to return when convenient. “Chamisa ngaambomira kukonzeresa confusion (should stop causing confusion). What new is he bringing except to legitimise a flawed process?” wrote @mattiedziva.
Chamisa’s political career has never been short of controversy. He left the MDC in 2022 after internal wrangles and formed CCC — which he later abandoned in January 2024, calling it “hijacked” and “contaminated.”
In his 13-page resignation statement, he said: “The original CCC idea has however been contaminated, bastardized, hijacked by ZANU PF through the abuse of State institutions.”
Throughout his career, Chamisa has claimed to face threats to his life, including an alleged assassination attempt in 2022 and physical assaults in previous years.
As Chamisa re-enters the political fray, he faces both renewed support and persistent skepticism.
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