Former legislators Mahere and Mliswa clash over role of social media in politics

HARARE – Former legislators Fadzayi Mahere and Temba Mliswa have clashed over the place of social media in Zimbabwe’s political discourse, with each accusing the other of inconsistency in how they use online platforms to raise national issues.

Mliswa, a former Norton MP, criticised Mahere for what he described as “playing to the public gallery,” arguing that issues she raises on social platforms should instead be addressed in Parliament.

He said Mahere had “betrayed” the Mt Pleasant electorate by resigning her seat, adding that her departure handed the constituency to Zanu-PF despite her winning with a margin of more than 12,000 votes in the 2023 elections.

He further accused her of focusing on “populism” and personal criticism of political leaders and public figures, saying such commentary would be more meaningful if backed by “criminal accusations with evidentiary support.”

“The many issues you continue to raise on this wild platform are the very issues which you were voted for to raise in Parliament, which is a legitimate platform that facilitates for concrete results towards national development,” Mliswa stated.

“However, it seems your politics now amounts only to playing to the public gallery and feasting on the adulation that comes with populism with no care for concrete results.

“You betrayed the support of those who sacrificed much for your candidature and dumped your constituency in a petulant manner. Those are the leaders we don’t want; weak and undependable.”

Mliswa also said Mahere’s decision to resign after her party leader stepped down reflected “weak and undependable” leadership.

Mahere responded by questioning Mliswa’s stance against social media-based advocacy.

She referenced a previous phone conversation in which Mliswa claimed he had “finished (exiled former cabinet minister) Jonathan Moyo,” asking whether he had done so in Parliament or on social media.

She argued that his own record of criticising politicians online contradicts his assertion that concerns should only be raised in legislative forums.

Mahere also noted that despite losing the Norton parliamentary constituency, Mliswa continues to raise political issues on X (formerly Twitter), and asked why, by his own logic, he does not leave such matters to the sitting MP.

She stated: “Now that the people of Norton rejected you and are no longer in Parliament, does it mean you can no longer raise issues you deem important?

“If your reasoning is correct, why do you attack top Zanu-PF politicians here day and night? Why don’t you keep quiet and ask your MP to raise your gripes in Parliament?

“In light of this, do you not agree that this was a bit of a potato-head argument to raise, respectfully? Can you please engage with the substance of what I asked?”