Temba Mliswa never ceases to astonish me.
For the past week, I have been captivated by his unrestrained and emotionally charged tirade against Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga.
Though I am not an ardent follower of Blessed Runesu Geza, aka Cde Bombshell, I initially dismissed his assertion on September 20 that Mliswa had been financially incentivised by cartels surrounding President Emmerson Mnangagwa to tarnish VP Chiwenga’s reputation.
However, the cat came out of the bag hours later.
Mliswa's relentless assaults on Chiwenga have become glaringly evident, akin to a gun aimed directly at him.
Two weeks ago, Chiwenga confronted Mnangagwa during a politburo meeting, accusing him of colluding with the criminal cartels that are ravaging the nation through corruption.
He presented a damning dossier detailing how Zanu PF has lost billions of dollars since Mnangagwa seized power in a coup in November 2017.
The party has yet to see a single cent from its 45% stake in Sakunda Holdings, owned by businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei.
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Chiwenga demanded the arrest of Tagwirei, Wicknell Chivhayo, Scott Sakupwanya, and Delish Nguwaya, among others, who have been awarded inflated tenders by Mnangagwa’s office, draining the country of billions of U.S. dollars.
This confrontation did not sit well with Mnangagwa, who even threatened to resign. The very next day, attack dogs were unleashed, with Mliswa leading the charge, on a mission to malign Chiwenga’s name.
Since then, Mliswa has become a fixture on X, unleashing a torrent of vitriolic attacks against the VP.
Mliswa accused Chiwenga of a politically motivated response to corruption, arguing that the anti-corruption crusade should not be "hijacked for a few political points."
Conveniently, he is mum on how proceeds of corruption are being used in Zanu PF to ascend to the top, with Tagwirei as a good example.
In his thoughtless rants, Mliswa admitted that corruption is deeply entrenched within Zanu PF, and no one, including Chiwenga, is untouched by its taint.
He further claimed that Chiwenga disrespected the president by publicly confronting him in the politburo meeting when he could have addressed him privately.
What particularly caught my attention was his assertion that Mnangagwa has been overly lenient; otherwise, he could have dismissed Chiwenga outright, as the appointing authority has the power to hire and fire.
According to Mliswa, Chiwenga should be grateful to Mnangagwa for his vice presidency.
In a prior interview with Heart & Soul, Mliswa had praised Chiwenga for his principled stance, criticising Mnangagwa as the head of a corrupt government.
He stated, “We can no longer hide the fact that he is the number one citizen. He is responsible for decisions in cabinet and within Zanu PF.”
Mliswa urged that we can no longer perpetuate the myth that the late Robert Mugabe was good while those around him were corrupt.
“His Excellency is in charge; he has the executive powers to do everything. If he is not acting, it means he is satisfied. The blame lies with him,” he said.
I have long perceived Mliswa as an opportunist rather than a principled individual, a chameleon who adapts his positions to serve his personal interests.
Today he may praise Chiwenga as a true general of the war, and tomorrow he may denounce him, as long as it aligns with his strategic adaptability.
I believe his assertion that Mnangagwa should dismiss Chiwenga merits scrutiny.
Mliswa undoubtedly understands how Mnangagwa ascended to power and the pivotal role Chiwenga played.
He was the one who orchestrated the helicopter transport of Mnangagwa to a hospital in Gweru after he was poisoned.
This was a significant risk, as only the president could authorise such an action, yet Chiwenga acted gallantly.
He also provided security for Mnangagwa during his treatment in South Africa and facilitated Mnangagwa's escape when he faced arrest under Mugabe.
Chiwenga led the coup that ousted Mugabe from power, even rejecting Mugabe's offer of the presidency to reinstate Mnangagwa.
In this context, who truly appointed whom?
Chiwenga’s current actions reflect his frustration over a coup that promised a new dawn for Zimbabwe, a promise that remains unfulfilled under Mnangagwa.
Is it not Chiwenga’s duty to hold Mnangagwa accountable, to confront him about his failings?
People are already blaming Chiwenga and other generals for forcing Mnangagwa on them in 2017 whose rule is riddled with corruption, cronyism and tribalism.
These have caused untold suffering to the people while Mnangagwa and his Zvigananda have accumulated wealth that they have sent them mad, dishing out cars and cash like confetti.
While Mliswa may assert that Mnangagwa was voted into office, one must ponder: would he have been elected if Chiwenga had chosen to rule?
That could have marked the end of Mnangagwa's political career.
Mliswa, in his characteristic fashion, seeks to manoeuvre cleverly while ignoring the harsh realities.
My counsel to him is this: cleverness devoid of honesty or prudence is a perilous path.
Always remember, a person with restless feet may find themselves in a snake pit. Temba, you are meddling in matters beyond your understanding, acting deceitfully while risking your own safety.
Those who throw ashes invariably find them returning to their faces.
Your attempts to manipulate situations for Mnangagwa’s benefit at the expense of the people will ultimately backfire.
The events of 2017 should serve as a stark reminder.
Many who believed themselves clever and invincible, like you, fled the country on motorcycles, not in their luxurious ministerial cars.
Yes, I am aware you claim to fear nothing, but to me, you resemble a wildcat staring into a mirror, seeing itself and believing that it is seeing a lion. Such delusions are dangerous.
You are conveniently acting with deception while disregarding truth for “clever advantage,” and you will pay dearly for this.
Take heed of this warning: Zimbabwe has suffered under Mnangagwa's corrupt regime, and enablers like you will face consequences.
If I were you, I would return the funds you got to tarnish Chiwenga.
I know you are struggling to make ends meet, even resorting to selling cattle from your farm.
However, the methods you choose to replenish your finances are fraught with peril.
*Tinashe Madondo is a UK based Zimbabwean political analyst, who is currently running a petition against Mnangagwa’s rule
