'Chiwenga is not a superhero,' says Mliswa

Published: 4 hours ago

Former Norton independent Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa has criticized the portrayal of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga as a political "superhero," warning that such exaggerations could undermine the VP's standing within Zanu-PF.

Mliswa made the remarks in response to social media influencer LynneStactia, accusing her of spreading false narratives that inflate Chiwenga's image while casting his alleged rivals in a threatening light. He dismissed these claims as baseless, asserting that nothing untoward is going to happen to the VP's supposed opponents.

"Your problem is that you lie too much kuti mufadze vanhu on social media. You have created a superhero VP and now are risking his whole political standing by constantly conjuring fictitious episodes of heroism even where none are necessary, all just to prop that false image," Mliswa wrote.

Drawing on his extensive political experience, Mliswa claimed he is well aware of how sensitive information, including his own passport and boarding passes, has leaked and noted that such breaches are known within the Military Intelligence Department. He added that the perception of imminent political threats to Chiwenga's rivals is manufactured and misleading.

Mliswa also criticized the VP's political decisions, arguing that Chiwenga has faced pressure from the party hierarchy due to alleged inconsistencies and past involvement in deals that now expose him to scrutiny. He pointed to procurement decisions during Chiwenga's tenure in Cabinet, including the tender for the Dema Power Plant Project, which he claims was influenced to benefit associates.

"He tried to sell himself as the only one clean and untainted, yet his own deals are known. The PB confronted him with facts about his corrupt deals, and he tried to hide behind angry outbursts and was told to calm down and respond," Mliswa stated.

He further argued that Chiwenga's criticism of certain party initiatives, including the 2030 Agenda, is inconsistent given that he did not voice objections when the programs were first introduced. Mliswa warned that the VP is receiving poor political advice, which could set him up for serious setbacks within the party.

"What happens now when you are accused of not just carrying the same stench but actually being a goat!" Mliswa warned, emphasizing that political naivety and inflated hero narratives can have real consequences for Chiwenga's credibility among veteran party leaders, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other Politburo and Central Committee members.

The comments reflect ongoing tensions within Zanu-PF's top ranks as the party prepares for its annual conference in Mutare, highlighting the delicate balance between political perception and actual influence.
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