HARARE – Outspoken former Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala has condemned the move by a faction of the country’s opposition to support extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term, labelling it a “nefarious agenda” that he believes is overwhelmingly opposed by the general public.
Sikhala’s comments come after a group of opposition lawmakers, including Sengezo Tshabangu, visited Mnangagwa’s Precabe Farm, where Tshabangu expressed support for Mnangagwa’s potential extension of his term beyond 2028.
“If our presence here improves your stay in power, and that makes the people of Zimbabwe happy, then let it be,” Tshabangu said.
The opposition legislators who visited Mnangagwa’s farm tour are Thokozani Khupe, Bridget Nyandoro, Kucaca Phulu, Susan Matsunga, Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa, Juliana Makuvire, Charles Moyo, Maxwell Mdhluli, Samukeliso Maseko and Otilia Sibanda.
Sikhala has criticized the lawmakers who attended the farm tour, calling them “planted puppets” who are more interested in advancing their own interests than representing the people.
He argued that the masses have the right to question those who claim to represent them, particularly regarding their interests and agendas.
“These guys must be told that whatever they say, kuda kufadza mutengi wedoro won’t help them. There is a general consensus among all the general masses of our people that the 2030, 2033 agenda is nonsense. This must get into their thick heads,” Sikhala stated.
“The Precabe Farm visitors are never opposition members. They are planted puppets whose agenda is to advance the nefarious agenda of 2030. They are comfortable with the sellout deal as long as they will be eating. Eating with selling out are allies.
“On and at the expense of the masses, they will appear before their master pretending to be representing the people when their agenda is just eating. As long as their stomachs are full, the masses can go to hell.
“It is now time when the electorate who these people pretend to represent ask them questions of whose interest they were representing at Precabe Farm. The legitimate owners of power are the masses. They have got the right to question those who purport to represent them!”
Tshabangu has been accused of hijacking the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party and making decisions that benefit himself rather than the party or the people.
Through the help of state institutions such as Parliament and Judiciary, Tshabangu grabbed the party from its founding leader, Nelson Chamisa, soon after the 2023 elections. He went to recall MPs and councillors aligned to Chamisa, giving Zanu-PF two thirds majority in Parliament.
