HARARE – Veteran firebrand Munyaradzi Gwisai, expelled from the MDC more than two decades ago for radical leftist views, is back at the center of Zimbabwe’s protest politics.
He has emerged as a leading voice in the new Sungano yeVanhu coalition, now vowing mass demonstrations to kill Constitutional Amendment No. 3.
Gwisai openly criticized the MDC for challenging the 2002 presidential election results in court, calling it useless. He urged Tsvangirai to use mass protests to overthrow the government.
The broad alliance of civic groups, labour unions, churches, and opposition figures launched July 3 under the slogan “Let the People Decide.”
It aims to block the amendment, which critics say unlawfully extends presidential powers and tenure, unless the government calls a national referendum.
At a press event linked to the launch, Gwisai declared the coalition “will soon organize the people to demonstrate against the unconstitutional amendment.”
He called the move a constitutional right and warned that CA3 “is not a done deal until the people decide.” Gwisai, a lawyer, former MDC MP for Highfield from 2000 to 2002, and coordinator of the International Socialist Organisation in Zimbabwe, was expelled from the MDC in late 2002.
The party’s national executive found him guilty of violating principles after he pushed a radical socialist line and publicly accused MDC leaders of moderation and elite co-option.
He lost the by-election that followed.
His return puts a veteran left-wing activist at the front of Sungano yeVanhu, alongside broader civic voices. Job Sikhala, leader of the National Democratic Working Group, backed the coalition in an audio message circulated Monday, July 6.
Speaking from South Africa where he is attending a legal case, Sikhala confirmed his group had joined the Defend the Constitution Platform convened by Reverend Dr. Kupa Mtata.
He told supporters to “BE PREPARED!” and called for unity among democratic forces and greater citizen involvement in defending the Constitution.
Jacob Ngarivhume confirmed Sikhala’s NDWG is a founding member of the platform.
Reverend Mtata, the coalition convenor, insists the effort is non-partisan.
At the launch, he described the Constitution as “a covenant created collectively by Zimbabweans” and accused authorities of procedural violations, corrupting Parliament, and intimidating dissenters.
Coalition leaders have branded planned actions a “National Day of Peaceful Civic Action,” citing Section 59 of the Constitution which protects the right to protest.
No date has been set.
Public reaction is split. Some have hailed the leaders’ “bravery,” while others doubt the coalition can mobilize large crowds.
Critics point to past low turnout for opposition calls, economic hardship, and fears of state repression. On social media, opponents dismissed the group as “social media activists” without grassroots muscle.
Government-aligned voices argue public consultations on the amendment already took place.
The coalition says it will file court challenges and regional petitions alongside any street action.
As of July 6, no demonstrations had been scheduled and authorities had not issued a detailed response.