Harare – In a chilling open letter penned on the commemoration of the late opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s death, Nelson Chamisa, a prominent figure in Zimbabwean opposition politics, has laid bare a series of alleged assassination attempts and plots against his life. His account paints a stark picture of a political landscape fraught with danger, where dissent is met with extreme measures, and the struggle for power often transcends the boundaries of legitimate political contestation. Chamisa’s revelations, coupled with a history of suspicious deaths and disappearances of political opponents in Zimbabwe and across Africa, underscore the perilous path walked by those who challenge entrenched power structures.
Chamisa’s letter, addressed to his late mentor, Morgan Tsvangirai, details numerous harrowing incidents. He recounts near-fatal encounters in Mutare, Nyanga, Nemanwa, and at the Chivi turnoff. He also speaks of narrow escapes in Chiredzi and Zaka, and a direct assassination plot in Hurungwe that he miraculously survived. These are not isolated events but rather a pattern of alleged state-sponsored violence aimed at silencing opposition voices. In October 2021, his convoy was reportedly attacked by suspected Zanu PF militants in Mutare, where a bullet allegedly pierced his vehicle. Days earlier, in Masvingo and Nemanwa, a mob of over 200 Zanu PF youths reportedly assaulted his convoy with stones and logs. During a rural outreach in Zaka, Chamisa had to hide in the boot of a car to evade militia singing Chimurenga songs at checkpoints. In Binga, he walked for kilometres to bypass militia roadblocks, and in Guruve, he resorted to a motorbike to slip past barricades. These accounts illustrate the extreme lengths to which political actors are willing to go to suppress opposition movements.
This refusal reportedly led to internal conflict, with Moyo’s deputies confronting him in a Joint Operations Command (JOC) meeting, telling him, “You are not an Operative.” While some reports suggest President Emmerson Mnangagwa rejected the plot when it was presented, or that Moyo’s refusal was linked to the President’s stance on avoiding such brazen tactics at that time, the mere existence of such a plot highlights the severe threats faced by opposition leaders.
The broader political climate in Zimbabwe, as described by Chamisa, is one of systematic oppression and manipulation. He states, “They beat us, falsely accused us, wrongfully imprisoned us, vilified and demonized us.” The opposition remains banned from state media outlets such as ZBC television and radio, and The Herald, The Chronicle, The Sunday Mail, and The Sunday News. They are treated as “prohibited persons in our own country.” Chamisa asserts that the ruling party continues to rig elections, enforce command voting, and unleash violence in rural communities, where food is used as a political weapon to punish citizens for holding different views. The imprisonment of young activist Madzibaba Veshanduko (Godfrey Karembera) for his political activities serves as a poignant example of this repression. Furthermore, Chamisa alleges that millions have been poured into bribery and manipulation, exceeding allocations for health or education, to fund trolls spreading lies and misinformation, and to sow division within the opposition’s ranks.
The use of “lawfare” is another critical aspect of the ruling party’s strategy, according to Chamisa. He laments the seizure of the party they founded, including its headquarters, provincial offices, and finances. He states, “Now they scheme to abuse the courts yet again, to harass and humiliate me personally.” This tactic, he argues, is designed to create a “compliant, false opposition” by targeting individuals they fear most. The recalling and punishing of Members of Parliament and councillors deemed truly committed to the cause further illustrates this systematic dismantling of effective opposition.
This pattern of political violence and suppression is not new to Zimbabwe, nor is it unique in Africa. The nation has a tragic history of political figures dying under mysterious or violent circumstances. One of the most prominent cases is that of Herbert Chitepo, a prominent nationalist leader, who was assassinated by a car bomb in Lusaka, Zambia, in 1975. His death remains a subject of intense speculation and controversy. Similarly, Josiah Tongogara, the ZANLA commander, died in a suspicious car accident in Mozambique in 1979, just before Zimbabwe gained independence. Many believe his death was not accidental. More recently, General Solomon Mujuru, a liberation war hero and influential figure in Zanu PF, died in a mysterious fire at his farm in 2011, an incident widely believed to be an assassination. In 2013, Edward Chindori-Chininga, a Zanu PF MP, died in a suspicious car accident shortly after releasing a report on corruption in the diamond mining sector. The abduction and disappearance of activist Itai Dzamara in 2015 by suspected state agents, from which he has never been seen again, further highlights the dangers faced by those who challenge the status quo.
Beyond Zimbabwe’s borders, the continent of Africa has witnessed numerous instances of political rivals being eliminated through assassinations, coups, and suspicious deaths. Thomas Sankara, the revolutionary leader of Burkina Faso, was assassinated in a coup in 1987. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Patrice Lumumba, the first democratically elected Prime Minister, was executed in 1961 as part of a complex plot involving foreign powers and local rivals. These historical events serve as a grim reminder that the struggle for political power in many African nations has often been a brutal and unforgiving affair, where the stakes are incredibly high.
In the current political climate of 2026, Chamisa warns of further constitutional erosion. He states that the government is seeking to “shred what remains of the Constitution” by proposing to end the direct election of the President, unlawfully extend terms, and impose unilateral, anti-citizen electoral changes. He contrasts this with Robert Mugabe, who, at the very least, would have submitted fundamental changes to a referendum, suggesting that the current leadership is determined to avoid the people altogether. This push for constitutional amendments, often referred to as the “2030 plot,” is seen by critics as a move to consolidate power and further entrench the ruling party’s dominance.
Despite these immense challenges, Chamisa remains defiant. He acknowledges the loss of his party, its headquarters, and its colours due to “lawfare,” but asserts, “But we have the citizens on our side. We have history on our side. We have Africa on our side. We have the solidarity of the oppressed around the world on our side. And above all, we have faith. And God is in it.” His message is one of unwavering belief in the power of the people, echoing the teachings of Tsvangirai: “even if persecuted, never retaliate in hatred; never betray the people. Hatiputsi Sungano. Tiri pachirangano.” He concludes with a powerful declaration: “Change will come. Victory is certain. Zimbabwe will be transformed country. We will be a happy and prosperous nation forever. WE THE CITIZENS!! Citizens united can never be defeated. Citizens united can change a country anytime! We will unite the citizens and do our part.”
Chamisa’s narrative is a testament to the enduring struggle for democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe. His survival of multiple alleged assassination attempts and plots, set against a backdrop of historical political violence, highlights the dangerous realities faced by opposition figures. The ongoing efforts to suppress dissent and manipulate democratic processes underscore the urgent need for international attention and support for those striving for a truly democratic and just society in Zimbabwe.
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