STAFF REPORTER
HARARE - A faction of war veterans led by Ethan Mathibela has strongly defended Vice President Constantino Chiwenga against growing calls for his resignation, insisting that his recent sermon at a Roman Catholic gathering did not amount to wrongdoing.
Chiwenga sparked intense debate after a video emerged showing him addressing a Roman Catholic event, where he referenced the biblical story of King Hezekiah.
According to the scripture, Hezekiah prayed for and received an additional 15 years of life, but failed to use the extra time meaningfully.
The remarks have been widely interpreted as a veiled critique of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, coming at a time when ZANU-PF is pushing the controversial Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill — popularly known as CAB3 — which seeks to extend presidential term limits beyond 2028.
In a statement, Mathibela, who leads the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, condemned the pressure mounting on the Vice President. “We reaffirm that Honorable Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has committed no offence warranting calls for his resignation.
He has exercised his constitutional rights within the bounds of the law,” said Mathibela. He argued that demands for Chiwenga to step down undermine Zimbabwe’s constitutional framework, which guarantees freedoms of assembly, religion, and expression to all citizens, including public office holders.
However, outspoken former Norton legislator Temba Mliswa, writing on X, Monday, sharply criticized the Vice President, describing the sermon as “as brazen an attack on the President as one can ever give” from his own deputy.
Mliswa argued that Chiwenga was indirectly opposing CAB3 by hiding behind biblical metaphors instead of stating his position openly like a serious politician.
He accused the VP of pandering to social media and opposition sentiments, saying the move was “diplomatically gross and strategically poor.”
“The VP is now seriously endangering his standing... Politically the man has been outmaneuvered,” Mliswa said, adding that if Chiwenga genuinely opposes the direction ZANU-PF has taken, he should resign honorably rather than remain inside the party while undermining its resolutions.
Mliswa further stated that CAB3 is not the product of any single individual but a party project that passed through Conference, the Politburo, Central Committee, Cabinet, and public hearings. He described Chiwenga as increasingly becoming a liability to the ruling party by providing fodder for tension and instability through veiled attacks.“
Resigning, not metaphors, is the only redemptive path for him,” Mliswa concluded.
The war veterans, however, maintain that Chiwenga remains within his rights and that calls for his resignation are unjustified.
This version presents both sides clearly and neutrally while keeping a natural news flow. The contrasting views are well separated for balance and readability.
Would you like me to make it shorter, more concise, or adjust the tone (for example, lead more with the veterans' defence or give Mliswa more prominence)? Just let me know!