Chiwenga Warns Looters: “Your Days Are Numbered”

Gilbert Munetsi

Zim Now Writer

Acting President Constantino Guveya Chiwenga has sent a stern warning to those enriching themselves at the expense of the nation, declaring that their era of looting is nearing its end.

He was addressing mourners gathered at the National Heroes Acre to bid farewell to former Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Justin Mupamhanga, who succumbed to diabetes and high blood pressure.

The solemn ceremony marked the fourth burial at the national shrine in just one week, following the interment of former cabinet minister Chen Chimutengwende, Major General (Rtd) Solomon Siziba, and Ambassador John Shumba Mvundura a few days prior.

Yet, amidst the grief, Chiwenga’s words carried the weight of a rallying call—a reminder of Zimbabwe’s founding principles and a condemnation of the corruption threatening the nation’s progress.

“We all swore to a future in which everyone had a place at the table. A place in the sun for a culture of equal opportunity where every Zimbabwean served in equal measure. Zveubvanzu bvanzu kudya kwemhumhi takazviramba.”

The Acting President lambasted those who, draped in political power, have exploited their positions for personal gain. He reserved no sympathy for the so-called “mbinga,” likening them to war-era deserters who preyed on the struggle’s resources.

“Our Vision 2030 is for all of us, not for the few who grow big tummies through ill-gotten wealth and questionable morals,” he said, drawing applause from mourners.

Urging vigilance, Chiwenga reminded the nation of the liberation struggle’s guiding ideals—fairness, shared prosperity, and selflessness.

“We must not be a generation that betrays or fails our revolution, a revolution purchased through such painful sacrifice,” he said.

The ceremony was also a tribute to the late Justin Mupamhanga, a man whose life embodied the spirit of Zimbabwe’s liberation.

Born in 1953 in Goneso Village, Hwedza District in Mashonaland East province, Mupamhanga’s family relocated to Chesa in Mashonaland Central in search of fertile farming land.

Motivated by a profound sense of duty, Mupamhanga abandoned his studies at the University of Zimbabwe in 1975 to join the liberation struggle.

He became a member of “The 8,” a group of educated and fearless individuals who sacrificed their futures to fight for Zimbabwe’s freedom. Known by the nom de guerre “Top Ten,” Mupamhanga’s contributions to the liberation movement and the country’s subsequent development earned him a place among Zimbabwe’s national heroes.

Chiwenga reflected on the loss of this generation of exceptional men and women, emphasizing the urgent need for today’s leaders to carry forward their legacy.

“Let us reflect on the harsh reality that a generation of selfless heroes pivotal to our liberation is departing. It is now our duty to uphold their values, defend our country, and ensure no one betrays their sacrifice,” he urged.

The burial of Mupamhanga was not just a farewell to a hero but also a wake-up call for Zimbabwe to recommit to the ideals that defined its liberation—a reminder that the nation’s future belongs to all, not a privileged few.