GENERAL CHIWENGA, ON CAA3 WE STAND WITH YOU!
There has been intense debate over whether Zimbabwe’s opposition and democratic forces should support General Constantino Chiwenga in his reported opposition to Constitutional Amendment No. 3.
Let us confront this question honestly and clearly.
General Chiwenga is a veteran of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, and we salute his contribution to the freedom of our country. At the same time, we cannot erase or ignore the grave human-rights violations associated with the military establishment during his leadership. Supporting him on one national question does not amount to absolving him of responsibility for the past.
But politics is neither conducted in a vacuum, nor through permanent emotions. There are no permanent enemies—there are permanent national interests.
Our immediate national interest is clear: CAA3 must be defeated!
If General Chiwenga is genuinely opposing Constitutional Amendment No. 3, then on this defining national question he becomes an ally of the opposition, of those inside ZANU-PF who oppose the amendment and, most importantly, of the people of Zimbabwe.
CAA3 is not an ordinary amendment. It is an assault on constitutionalism, presidential term limits and the sovereign right of citizens to choose their leaders. Its purpose is to concentrate power, protect political interests and prolong a failed system against the will of the people.
We must therefore distinguish between supporting a person unconditionally and working with that person to defend a shared national interest.
General Chiwenga has the political influence, institutional leverage and determination to help stop CAA3, it would be strategically reckless for the opposition to reject that opportunity simply because of our historical differences. Refusing every alliance until we find politically perfect partners is not principle—it is political paralysis.
A broad national front must now emerge: opposition parties, churches, civil society, war veterans, students, workers, constitutionalists and principled people within ZANU-PF. We may disagree on many things, but we must unite around one immediate objective:
Stop CAA3. Defend the Constitution. Protect the people’s right to determine Zimbabwe’s future.
To General Chiwenga, I say this directly:
For too long, Zimbabweans have been brutalised by a political system that refuses to recognise the opposition as a legitimate part of our nation. Citizens have been beaten, abducted, imprisoned and killed for demanding accountable government. State institutions have been turned into instruments for protecting political elites and their wealthy oligarchs.
This is your opportunity to help dismantle that system.
If you genuinely oppose CAA3, stand firmly with the Constitution and the people. You possess influence and access to instruments of power that ordinary citizens do not have. Use that position to defend Zimbabwe—not another faction, personality or succession project.
November carries enormous significance in our national history.
On 11 November 1965, Ian Douglas Smith declared the Unilateral Declaration of Independence, intensifying the crisis that drove Zimbabweans towards armed liberation. On 14 November 2017, military movements began the process that ultimately removed Robert Mugabe from power.
Now November approaches us once again. The Constitutional Court is sitting to determine the constitutionality of CAA3. This new alliance must take up its position collectively, as a nation.
We were short-changed in 2017. Zimbabweans marched believing that a new democratic beginning had arrived, only to discover that personalities had changed while the oppressive system survived.
Once beaten, twice shy.
This time, there must be no blank cheques, secret political arrangements or unconstitutional shortcuts. Every leader—including General Chiwenga—must be held accountable to the 2013 Constitution. Any cooperation must remain peaceful, constitutional and centred on the sovereign interests of the people.
We will not exchange one form of authoritarianism for another. We will not replace one personality cult with a new one. We will support what is right for Zimbabwe while reserving our constitutional right to question, criticise and hold every leader accountable.
General Chiwenga does not need our unconditional loyalty. But where he stands against CAA3 and the political oligarchy driving it, he deserves principled and strategic support.
Zvamanjemanje General Chiwenga, where you are doing the right thing for Zimbabwe, we stand with you.
Let us stop CAA3 together—and thereafter allow Zimbabweans to determine their future freely, peacefully and constitutionally.
Jacob Ngarivhume