A MEMO to Morgan Tsvangirai: Full text of tribute from Nelson Chamisa

Dear Save,

Pakuru, as they were determined against you, so they are against me—and against all of us.

But they have grown more rabid, more brazen, and entirely rogue. As you know, they beat us, falsely accused us, wrongfully imprisoned us, vilified and demonized us.

We remain banned from ZBC television and radio. We are shut out of The Herald, The Chronicle, The Sunday Mail, and The Sunday News. We are treated as prohibited persons in our own country.

They continue to rig elections, enforce command voting, and unleash violence in rural communities. Food remains a political weapon. Citizens are punished for holding different views.

A young man, Madzibaba Veshanduko, sits in prison because of his politics.

They have hired and funded trolls to spread lies and misinformation, seeking to tarnish my name. Their machinery of propaganda is well-resourced and relentless.

They have paid some among us to sow division and undermine leadership. Millions have been poured into bribery and manipulation—more, it seems, than is allocated to health or education.

Through lawfare, they seized the party we founded together. They took the headquarters, the provincial offices, and the party’s finances.

Now they scheme to abuse the courts yet again, to harass and humiliate me personally. As in your time, they single out individuals they fear most. They prefer a compliant, false opposition.

They recalled and punished Members of Parliament and councillors they deemed truly committed to the cause.

Each time I go out to meet with the citizens, it’s difficult, it’s painful and it’s a sacrifice. When I went out for a citizens outreach into the rural areas, and across the country, I had a Todii’s time.

There have been repeated attempts on my life—near-fatal incidents in Mutare, Nyanga, Nemanwa, and at the Chivi turnoff; narrow escapes in Chiredzi and Zaka; and the Hurungwe assassination plot I survived.

In Binga, I walked for kilometres to evade militia roadblocks. In Guruve, I rode a motorbike to slip past barricades. In Zaka, I lay hidden in the boot of a car while they sang Chimurenga songs at their checkpoints.

Now they go further still—seeking to shred what remains of the Constitution. They propose to end the direct election of the President, to unlawfully extend terms, and to impose unilateral, anti-citizen electoral changes.

At the very least, even Robert Mugabe would submit fundamental changes to a referendum. This leadership appears determined to avoid the people altogether.

As we did before, we will not compromise away the will of the citizens. As you taught us: even if persecuted, never retaliate in hatred; never betray the people. Hatiputsi Sungano. Tiri pachirangano.

I may not have a party, party headquarters, or party colours. But we have the citizens on our side. We have history on our side . We have Africa on our side. We have the solidarity of the oppressed around the world on our side. And above all, we have faith.And God is in it.

Change will come. Victory is certain. Zimbabwe will be transformed country. We will be a happy and prosperous nation forever. WE THE CITIZENS!! Citizens united can never be defeated. Citizens united can change a country anytime!

We will unite the citizens and do our part.

Rest in power, Save!!