Hwende trolled over Tshabangu

Nyashadzashe Ndoro

A war of words has erupted between Kuwadzana East MP, Chalton Hwende and opposition activists with the latter accusing the legislator of working with Sengezo Tshabangu, a self-proclaimed secretary-general of the Citizens Coalition for Change, who recalled over 27 lawmakers.

Hwende and other senior party officials such Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube have been fingered in sponsoring Tshabangu following the chaotic pre-election nomination process conducted by CCC.

Tshabangu himself publicly said the three politicians supported him.

Despite them coming in the open distancing themselves from Tshabangu, Hwende has been attacked and told to withdraw from Parliament to show he had nothing to do with the exclusion of CCC members.

He said he was ready to withdraw from the social media brawl but slammed trolls targeted at him by critics.

“I have taken note of the messages sent to my inbox and calls that I have received. The general message is that I must withdraw from this public conversation going on. I accept wise counsel and I am withdrawing. Let’s allow the leadership to have a conversation on the challenges facing the democratic struggle. Our enemy is Zanu PF not fellow democrats,” he said.

“The labeling and condemning must Stop. That group of trolls that daily targets other leaders and whose focus is internal must be disbanded. Let’s mobilise Zimbabweans for constitutional people action to achieve a Fresh, Free and Fair Election.”

Seemingly attacking Hwende, chairman of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, Peter Mutasa, said: “Some think they have arrived by being in Parliament. Our struggles may actually be different.”

But Hwende shot back, telling Mutasa to look for a job and accusing him of being a “small boy”.

“Tsvaga basa rekuita Peter Mutasa if you think receiving a salary of $500 from Parliament is arriving then God bless you. Ask the Cdes in CCC, they will tell you how much I have funded the party. When we were in MDC Alliance, I funded a whole congress by feeding over 5 000 delegates. So, siyana neni iwewe, you are a small boy,” the lawmaker said.

Another fight also was between Hwende and a shadowy X user called Skilled Rebhara.

Hwende accused Rebhara of being sent to divide CCC leadership.

“You are being sent to divide the leadership so obviously, I will respond but what you are doing is wrong. Encourage unity not division,” he said.

But Rebhara demanded evidence saying: “You made an accusation of me being sent and having whatsapp groups, please show me the WhatsApp groups the messages where I am being sent and mobilising people to attack leadership. Do it tonight so that this issue does not divide people in the morning. I give you permission to share on the timeline.”

Meanwhile, former Cabinet Minister Walter Mzembi believes that it is not a good idea for the remaining opposition MPs to withdraw from Parliament.

“Knowing the trappings of power, no matter how limited or minute it is, and how hazardous materially, psychologically, financially, maritally and emotionally to acquire that little power, prestige and status, it’s futile to ask opposition Senators, MPs and Councillors to do a mass pull-out even when they are faced with further Recalls. I will be damned if they do.

“Zvakafanana nokungoti tutururu kumba uchiti ndasiya basa usina rimwe.

“Power is not relinquished like that in Zimbabwe where there are limited alternatives, even the people that employed you in the first place, the voters, are very unkind with representation that gives up seats,” he said.

Mzembi added: “Whilst this suits Zanu PF to proceed with a non-threatening token presence of opposition, we also have not reached that rubicon of principles where people resign en masse.

“So, demand other things from opposition MPs kwete siyai basa, they will further divide the opposition by refusing.”