HARARE – Barely a day after publicly threatening to expose Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, former Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has delivered on his word, unleashing a barrage of corruption allegations that have sent shockwaves through Zimbabwe’s political landscape.
On Sunday evening, Mliswa warned the nation to brace itself for what he described as “four explosive episodes” targeting Chiwenga. He claimed the revelations would test the Vice President’s integrity, insisting that silence would be tantamount to guilt.
“The nation must brace itself for four episodes that require Chiwenga to respond if he is clean. If he cannot, then he must resign,” Mliswa declared.
In a series of posts published Monday morning, Mliswa alleged that Chiwenga had used his political stature to solicit extravagant gifts and cash from benefactors. Among the claims were demands for six Rolls Royces for his wedding, US$250,000 for wedding preparations, another US$250,000 during the ceremony itself, US$250,000 for a honeymoon at the Four Seasons Resort in Seychelles, and an additional R2 million for luxury shopping in South Africa.
Mliswa further alleged that Chiwenga pressed businessman Wicknell Chivayo for US$450,000 to purchase three apartments for his children. According to Mliswa, tensions between Chiwenga and Chivayo arose when one of the alleged promises was not fulfilled, sparking the ongoing rift.
Though no documentary evidence was immediately presented to substantiate the claims, the accusations have heightened speculation around Chiwenga’s position within the ruling party.
Mliswa Escalates Political Feud With Explosive Corruption Allegations Against VP Chiwenga
The timing of Mliswa’s attacks has fueled speculation of deeper fissures within ZANU PF. Party insiders suggest that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s loyalists are maneuvering to edge Chiwenga out of contention as the automatic successor, consolidating Mnangagwa’s hold on power.
Reports indicate an internal campaign is already underway to pressure Chiwenga into “stepping aside,” paving the way for Mnangagwa to reshape succession dynamics within the party.
Political observers say Mliswa’s interventions may reflect these realignments. For years, the outspoken former legislator had been a staunch supporter of Mnangagwa, particularly during the 2017 coup that toppled Robert Mugabe. Alongside Chiwenga and activist Blessed Geza, Mliswa played a vocal role in defending Mnangagwa’s controversial rise and later backed him during the disputed 2018 elections and the chaotic 2023 polls, which were condemned by regional bloc SADC.
During this period, the trio largely maintained silence on governance abuses, including the manipulation of Parliament through opposition impostor Sengezo Tshabangu, a tactic denounced by the Inter-Parliamentary Union after being captured on camera in Harare’s Crowne Plaza in December 2023.
Now, however, the once-unified front appears fractured. With Mnangagwa reportedly pushing to amend ZANU PF’s constitution to extend his presidency to 2030, internal rivalries have intensified, and Chiwenga’s standing as heir-apparent looks increasingly precarious.
While the allegations have grabbed public attention, not everyone is convinced of Mliswa’s intentions. Critics argue that he is acting less out of principle and more out of political opportunism.
Prominent activist Kerina Mujati dismissed Mliswa’s campaign as hypocritical, accusing him of benefiting from the same system of patronage and corruption he now condemns.
“Mliswa has been part of this culture for years. He only speaks when it suits his personal agenda,” Mujati said.
Others within civil society echoed similar concerns, warning that while the allegations are serious, they risk being dismissed as factional mudslinging unless supported by evidence.
Vice President Chiwenga has not issued a direct response to the allegations. His allies, however, have moved swiftly to push back, framing Mliswa’s revelations as politically motivated attacks. Supporters such as Mujati have countered with accusations of their own, portraying Mliswa as an unreliable actor seeking relevance amid shifting power dynamics.
For now, the Vice President’s silence has only fueled speculation. Analysts suggest that how Chiwenga chooses to respond—whether with a legal challenge, a public denial, or continued silence—may influence his political survival within ZANU PF’s volatile succession battles.
The unfolding saga underscores the fragility of alliances within Zimbabwe’s ruling elite. Once united in toppling Robert Mugabe and suppressing opposition challenges, Mnangagwa, Chiwenga, and their allies now appear locked in an internal struggle for dominance.
If substantiated, Mliswa’s allegations would not only damage Chiwenga’s reputation but could also disrupt ZANU PF’s succession calculus. Conversely, if the claims prove exaggerated or unfounded, Mliswa risks being dismissed as a political opportunist, further polarising Zimbabwe’s already fractured political environment.
What remains clear is that the public airing of such explosive claims signals a new phase in Zimbabwe’s high-stakes succession battle. As Mnangagwa seeks to consolidate his grip on power and extend his rule, the knives within the ruling party are out—turning once-trusted allies into open adversaries.
For ordinary Zimbabweans, the spectacle adds another layer of uncertainty to a political environment already marred by economic crisis, disputed elections, and growing disillusionment.
As one political analyst put it: “This is less about corruption and more about succession politics. The allegations are a weapon in a bigger fight for the future of ZANU PF—and by extension, Zimbabwe.”
Source- ZimEye
