Dear
@matinyarare ,
The public gesture from Paul Tungwarara — the luxury Toyota Land Cruiser (and reported cash settlement) — perfectly illustrates the perpetual patronage machine that has kept Zimbabwe trapped in cycles of dependency, elite capture, and compromised voices.
What is presented as “amicable resolution” or “appreciation for past work” is, in the eyes of many ordinary Zimbabweans, a classic transaction: criticism softens, attacks pivot conveniently (e.g., toward Tagwirei or others), and another influential voice is folded into the system.
This is not isolated generosity. It is the same pattern that has sustained centralized power, unaccountable appointments, and the dilution of constitutional safeguards. CAB3 embodies this threat on a national scale: extending terms to seven years, shifting presidential elections from the people to Parliament, weakening judicial checks, and enabling more executive control over institutions. It is an existential threat to freedom, democracy, and genuine self-governance because it:
• Steals popular sovereignty — replacing one-person-one-vote with MP selection of the President.
• Entrenches personality cults over constitutionalism and term limits.
• Undermines devolution and rule of law by tightening Harare’s grip rather than empowering provinces and communities.
• Normalizes elite patronage as the currency of politics, where dissent is bought rather than debated.
• Betrays future generations by locking in the status quo of emigration, corruption, and economic stagnation.
True reconciliation and unity cannot be built on gifts from presidential advisors while the Constitution itself is being mutilated without a referendum. The people of Zimbabwe — youth, workers, farmers, and the diaspora — see through these optics. We have endured too many “gestures” while hospitals crumble, jobs vanish, and power concentrates.
Rutendo, your earlier principled stand against CAB3 resonated because it spoke to the truth of many Zimbabweans: the Constitution belongs to the people, term limits protect freedom, an independent judiciary guards liberty, corruption must end, and youth deserve opportunity at home — not more of the same. Accepting patronage risks turning that voice into another tool of the very system many are fighting to reform.
Zimbabwe deserves leaders and influencers who prioritize constitutional supremacy, economic freedom, and self-governance over personal settlements. Reject the transactional politics. Stand with the people for a referendum on profound changes, genuine devolution, secure property rights, and institutions that outlast any individual or advisor.
The nation is watching. History will judge whether this moment was a bought compromise or a renewed commitment to principles that outlive any car or cash.
𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗢 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗗𝗥 𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗚𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗔’𝗦 𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧.
First, let me start by saying that I had never met or spoken to Presidential Advisor Dr Paul Tungwarara until he approached me online yesterday. During this public engagement, like a true leader, he extended a hand of reconciliation through the gesture of a vehicle, which he said was in recognition of the work I have done for the country.
He then invited me to a roundtable discussion to understand why I am publicly opposing CAB3, critiquing the President’s work, and expressing my separate frustrations regarding the government's non-payment in relation to my fight against sanctions.
We subsequently had another discussion offline, during which he explained to me that the President is not responsible for my non-payment for the sanctions work, but that responsibility lies with Kuda Tagwirei, whom was mandated to work with me.
Additionally, he informed me that he would engage the President and all stakeholders on the way forward. As a result, in the same way that talks between ZAPU and ZANU led to the Unity Accord, and discussions between MDC and ZANU-PF led to the Government of National Unity, we are going to have frank discussions and seek a suitable way to navigate our differing political positions around CAB3.
I also informed him that, contrary to the perceptions of some, I have no issue with the President, the First Lady, or the First Family. I have merely expressed the same constructive criticism on certain issues that I have raised since President Mnangagwa assumed office. And he has never taken issue with me criticizing him before because he has always been a listening President who allows open and frank discourse.
I also conceded that if, indeed, the President or Amai feel that any of my critique bordered on disrespect, I, as a child of Zimbabwe who has served the country loyally, would be willing to apologize publicly to eliminate any notion that the I advocate for the disrespect of our leaders.
I am a leader in our society and all the work I have done—from fighting sanctions; combating xenophobia and the expulsion of ZEP holders in South Africa; defending brand Zimbabwe; Telling The Good Zimbabwe story through documentaries on Trabablas, Geo Pomona, Champion Foods, Manhize, David Whitehead, Khaya Cement, and others, to travelling to Congo and Rwanda to assist efforts to end the conflict—has been done to advance Zimbabwe and support the President’s work because I believe in his vision for the country.
My views on CAB3 do not stem from the non-payment issues, as has been suggested by those who attacked me in defence of Kuda Tagwirei but it has been based on my own political outlook.
I understand from the Presidential Advisor that he intends to engage all the relevant stakeholders in an effort to reconcile us and restore and strengthen the unity we have always enjoyed.
Lastly, the false notion that Dr Tungwarara and I knew each other beforehand, or that he sent me to air my views against CAB3 or the performance of the President, is unfortunate. The man now appears to be facing criticism simply for attempting to reconcile me with the party and a President whom I have supported since he came into office.
All the President’s advisor is trying to do is foster reconciliation between one of the country’s strongest advocates and its leadership, in much the same way that the President himself has pursued re-engagement with the Western world and with those in the political opposition with whom he has previously differed.
Our nation has a long history of reconciliation, from the Unity Accord in 1987 to the Government of National Unity in 2009 and POLAD, which I worked closely with in efforts to bring an end to sanctions on Zimbabwe. What the Presidential Advisor is doing aligns with the spirit of Zimbabwe, and I applaud it. Let those who seek to divide us not succeed in sowing division.