Mamombe Faces Backlash for Engagement with Preside...

Mamombe Faces Backlash for Engagement with President Mnangagwa at Tourism Event

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

Citizens Coalition for Change legislator Joana Mamombe is facing a storm of criticism following her appearance at a recent tourism event where she was seen greeting President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a move that has reignited debate over the role of opposition MPs in engaging with ruling party figures.

Mamombe attended the event in her capacity as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate, Wildlife and Tourism, a position that mandates her participation in national stakeholder engagements within the tourism sector. Her official presence at the function, which also featured the Minister of Tourism and the President, falls within her parliamentary duties.

Despite this, images of her exchanging pleasantries with the President sparked a fierce backlash, particularly from opposition supporters on social media who accused her of fraternizing with the ruling elite.

“Akavhura hombe musikana. She's becoming bolder and holder each day,” posted a user identified as MaZwangendaba. “The people that we voted for are in it for financial gain. We are far away from freedom as long as there are cadres in opposition rubbing shoulders with our oppressors.”

Another commentator, Illoni Maskandi, revisited past controversies around Mamombe’s 2020 alleged abduction, which was heavily contested by ZANU PF supporters. “They were never abducted in the first place... These clowns work for the regime. People were fooled!”

Mamombe has long been a polarising figure in Zimbabwean politics, with detractors often accusing her of being too close to the ruling establishment, despite her vocal opposition role.

However, several voices have come out in her defence, arguing that outrage over her appearance is both unfounded and politically immature.

“Joana chairs the Committee on Environment, Wildlife, Climate & Tourism. She has an obligation to attend events related to her committee and engage various stakeholders,” said lawyer Freddy Masarirevu. “The President was part of the event and so was his Minister. How does her shaking hands with the President become an issue?”

He added: “Beyond anger and personal frustrations, politics also requires reasoning, logic and common sense.”

Others urged citizens to hold elected officials accountable based on their performance rather than optics. “We need more of these people in Parliament, councils, etc. Now that she is there, maybe dai tichimutsomera kuti how is she being useful, not zvekutorwa ma pictures izvo,” said CucsmanSiyai, in reference to a similar viral image of opposition leader Nelson Chamisa laughing with ZANU PF Politburo member Christopher Mutsvangwa.

Still, sceptics remained vocal. “We questioned their genuineness as opposition members and we were called names,” wrote Tedious Musinachirevo. “Joana herself said ‘tsek zidzoro ziva zvekugadzira ma fridge’,” quoting a past inflammatory remark attributed to Mamombe.

Fuel was added to the backlash when Mamombe reportedly disabled the comments section on her social media post following the event. “Why then close the comment section? We need to ask and get answers,” queried Bekezela Mpangazitha.