In a heated political showdown, retired army generals have pushed back against claims by outspoken politician Temba Mliswa regarding ZANU PF’s controversial Agenda 2030, which seeks to extend the terms of incumbent, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa, parliamentarians, and councillors, sparking debates over democratic norms and succession politics.
Speaking publicly, Mliswa argued that the President, “the longest-serving bureaucrat since 1980, War Veteran, and Commander-in-Chief of the Army,” must be treated with respect. He cautioned that some retired generals “wield their own inconsequential accolades as a weapon against him” and warned that their actions could be perceived as undermining the authority of their Commander-in-Chief. Mliswa noted that both retired generals and registered War Veterans remain in the reserve forces, potentially recallable in critical situations, and urged caution, claiming that politically charged motives could be driving the generals’ interventions.
However, Air Marshal (Retired) Henry Muchena, representing the retired generals and senior civil servants, fired back in a detailed statement on 18 March 2026.
“Your recent statements attacking retired senior army Generals and civil servants… are not only irresponsible but dangerous. We left our villages to fight for universal adult suffrage and will not tolerate partisan narratives or unfounded attacks for cheap political mileage.”
Muchena emphasised that their formal letter to Parliament on Amendment Bill 3 of 2026 followed constitutional procedure and was lawful, transparent, and in direct response to a public call by the Clerk of Parliament.
Muchena added:
“We served this country and the Party ZANU PF with distinction. To reduce our principled engagement to bitterness over unemployment is beneath contempt. Once a soldier, always a soldier, loyal to the flag and indebted to the people, for life.”
Analysts suggest Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who opposes the clause transferring presidential selection powers from the electorate to Parliament, may be influencing the generals’ intervention. If Amendment Bill 3 passes, Chiwenga’s pathway to the presidency would shrink, heightening political tension.
The clash exposes a broader struggle over democratic norms, party politics, and the legacy of liberation war veterans. At stake is not just the interpretation of constitutional amendments but the credibility of institutions, the authority of the Commander-in-Chief, and the principle of popular representation in Zimbabwe’s highest offices.
Leave a Reply