Chiwenga put on warning over threats to Chief Murinye

A loud chorus condemning VP Constantino Chiwenga over his threats to Chief Murinye is gaining national momentum.
ONE of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s advisors, Trevor Ncube blasted Chiwenga following the top politician’s chilling threats on Chief Murinye.

Chief Murinye, who is related to Mnangagwa last week publicly warned the president about the rampant corruption within people surrounding him and added this could lead to a military coup, or he would lose the 2023 presidential election.

However, the Masvingo traditional leader’s comments drew the ire of Chiwenga Friday and threatened hundreds of chiefs gathered in Harare for a meeting with Mnangagwa that they should follow proper channels when airing their grievances.

The VP also said Chief Murinye would be investigated by the Local Government Minister July Moyo and President of the Chiefs Council Fortune Charumbira over his rants.

However, Ncube said Chiwenga’s threats were shocking and chilling.

“This is shocking, chilling, and totally unacceptable in a democracy. Chiwenga spoke like a coup leader and not Vice President of a democratic Zimbabwe,” he said.

Ncube is a member of Mnangagwa’s Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC).

Murinye responded to the threats by showing Chiwenga a middle finger and dared the retired General to kill him.

MDC A’s all time popular Vice Chairman Job Sikhala threw his tacit support behind Chief Murinye who he said was at liberty to express his mind.

“I stand with Chief Murinye. Like all of us, he has the freedom of thought and speak out his mind,” said Sikhala who is a also a top Harare law eagle.

Wiwa as he is popularly known in social circles said Chief Muriye needs no-one’s endorsement to be Chief since he comes from a royal family.

“Chiefs are royal. They are born Chiefs. They don’t need anyone’s endorsement. Zvokuti ma Chief cherai chikomba mutara mupfira kuti tapfidza Denga harifari. Mangwana pane nyaya apa,” warned Sikhala.

Former Zanu PF MP Killer Zivhu elected to stand with the Chief.

“Ndasarudza to stand with Chief Murinye, chokwadi hachineyi kuti chataurwa through protocol or not .Chero mukadzingwa hazvina basa umambo huri muropa kwete pachisimbi chiya chinonzi nyembe, motor ikatorwa fambai netsoka hazviurayi. Retweet kana uchimira na chief Murinye,” said Zivhu.

Opposition MDC-T spokesperson Witness Dube said Chiwenga’s outburst of constructive criticism was enough evidence that supporting Zanu PF would never be of benefit to the chiefs.

“We hope this is a lesson to all chiefs that they should never be supporters of any political party, especially Zanu PF,” he said.

“Chiefs should govern the people in their jurisdictions and preserve our culture.”

Political analyst Pride Mkono said Chiwenga’s reaction to Chief Murinye was humiliating.

“Threats on Chief Murinye are humiliating, especially coming from a Vice President who knows people have the right and freedom to say as they please,” he added.

“This is not Mnangagwa’s country, it belongs to everyone. No one should be threatened after speaking of corruption as it is clear as daylight, Zimbabwe is troubled by graft.”

Independent Norton MP Temba Mliswa added: “News that VP Chiwenga threatened Chief Murinye is wrong and disturbing on every level. This is exactly how (President Robert) Mugabe operated, threatening all those who had divergent views. Leadership should listen to people and not threaten them. We are all under chiefs. Politicians sandivo vene venyika.”

The MDC Alliance, which has been a victim of most chiefs’ partisan approach, predicted the traditional leader would lose his chieftainship.

“Chief Murinye was brave to caution President Mnangagwa that if he fails to stop corruption, he will lose in 2023. He was telling the truth, he was trying to caution his nephew, but stubborn people like Chiwenga have instead threatened him,” Sibanda said.

“We want to make it clear as MDC Alliance that chiefs are not allowed to take an active role in politics. They are not allowed to be used and we are sure Chief Murinye is one of those who have been used by Zanu PF in the past.

“However, we are proud of him and how he spoke the truth as it is. They are going to strip him of the chieftainship as they did to Chief Ndiweni because they want quiet, submissive chiefs. They are going to show him the same road.”

Former Ntabazinduna traditional leader, Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni was controversially fired as chief in 2019 by Mnangagwa, who claimed he was not the legitimate chief.

Mnangagwa immediately seized the chief’s government-issued vehicle and all state property in his possession.

However, there was an uproar from certain quarters who argued Ndiweni’s removal was politically-motivated as he spoke against government atrocities.

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