General Chiwenga vapinda
In a fierce political showdown, Kerina Mujati has hit back at former legislator Temba Mliswa over his recent critiques of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. Mliswa had previously challenged the VP to be "holistic" in his fight against corruption, suggesting that Chiwenga himself should undergo a lifestyle audit. Mujati, however, views Mliswa's comments as a calculated attempt to protect President Mnangagwa’s faction while unfairly targeting the Vice President. She describes Mliswa as an "unethical trickster" who has benefited from the very system he now claims to criticize.
The controversy touches on the long-standing mystery of the missing $15 billion in diamond revenue. While Mliswa argued that the VP should have spoken up when ministers refused to account for these funds years ago, Mujati countered by accusing the President’s inner circle of systematic looting. She highlighted the "Zambian Mafia" narrative and accused the current administration of using frontmen to grab land and resources, leaving ordinary Zimbabweans, including civil servants and security forces, in extreme poverty.
A major point of contention involves the Chinese mining operations at Manhize. Mliswa questioned why 2,000 Chinese engineers were brought in when Zimbabwe has its own skilled professionals, labeling the lack of local employment as a form of corruption. Mujati responded by placing the blame squarely on the President, stating that the Ministry of Mines and the executive branch are responsible for issuing the permits that allow for the "looting" of the country’s minerals and the destruction of its environment.
Mujati did not hold back on personal attacks, questioning Mliswa's moral standing to discuss corruption given his own complex history and public personal life. She argued that the demand for lifestyle audits should start with the President's family and associates, whom she alleges have acquired vast amounts of wealth through patronage. The debate underscores the deepening rift within the ruling party as factions position themselves for the future, particularly regarding the "ED 2030" campaign.
As Zimbabweans continue to navigate economic hardships, the public remains hungry for accountability. Both Mujati and Mliswa agree that the law regarding asset declaration and lifestyle audits is clear, yet the implementation remains non-existent. The back-and-forth between these influential figures reveals a nation at a crossroads, where the battle against corruption is frequently entangled in the survival tactics of the political elite. Stay tuned as this story develops further.
