Mwonzora defiant after death threat over Muchena meeting

Published: 2 hours ago

MDC leader Douglas Mwonzora has vowed to press ahead with plans to engage retired Air Marshal Henry Muchena despite allegedly receiving a death threat warning him against meeting the former military commander.

The threat comes amid escalating political tensions over the proposed Constitution Amendment No. 3 Bill (CAB 3), which has drawn opposition from a range of political actors, civil society groups and retired senior government and military officials.

According to the MDC, Mwonzora received a threatening text message on Saturday. Written in Shona, the message warned: "Siyana zvako nekuda kusangana naMuchena ndoopauchafira iwe" (Don't meet Retired General Muchena, that is where you will die).

Speaking to reporters, Mwonzora said the threat would not deter him and had, in fact, strengthened his resolve.

"What they cannot do is threaten Zimbabweans and Muchena is a Zimbabwean. I meet every person if the need arises," he said.

Mwonzora revealed that he had not initially planned to meet Muchena, but said the threat had prompted him to consider doing so.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of growing opposition to CAB 3, which seeks to extend the terms of office for the President, Members of Parliament, senators and councillors from five to seven years. The Bill also proposes changes to the presidential electoral process, including provisions under which Parliament would play a greater role in selecting the President.

The proposed amendments have triggered widespread public debate, legal challenges and political mobilisation by both supporters and opponents of the legislation.

Muchena is among a group of retired military officers and former senior civil servants who have publicly urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to abandon plans to extend his tenure through constitutional amendments.

The group has formally petitioned Parliament to halt the legislative process, arguing that changes of such magnitude should be subjected to a national referendum.

While critics insist that Zimbabweans should have a direct say through a referendum, both Zanu-PF and Parliament have maintained that the proposed amendments do not require one.

Reports indicate that during a meeting held on May 18 and 19, President Mnangagwa dismissed concerns raised by the retired officials, reportedly stating that "whoever wins, wins".

The atmosphere surrounding the constitutional debate has become increasingly tense, with several activists reporting threats linked to their opposition to the Bill.

Human rights activist Youngerson Matete, who recently challenged parliamentary proceedings related to CAB 3 in the High Court, reportedly received a bullet accompanied by a message demanding that he withdraw his court application.

Despite the threat, Matete has indicated that he intends to continue pursuing the matter through legal channels.

In a separate incident, Joelson Mugari, an organiser with the National Democratic Working Group, reportedly received a death threat from an anonymous caller after notifying police about a planned peaceful demonstration against the proposed amendments.

Mwonzora has called on Zanu-PF to ensure that citizens are free to express their views without intimidation and reiterated calls for a referendum on the proposed constitutional changes.

Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya condemned the alleged threats, describing them as unacceptable and harmful to Zimbabwe's democratic processes.

Ngwenya argued that individuals responsible for such intimidation should be held accountable and urged authorities to investigate the incidents thoroughly.

As debate over CAB 3 intensifies, concerns continue to grow among opposition parties, civil society organisations and governance advocates over the political climate surrounding the proposed amendments and the reported intimidation of those expressing dissenting views.
- Newsday