War Vets Back VP Chiwenga Amid Resignation Calls Over Sermon Parable

The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has firmly pushed back against what it terms misplaced and legally unfounded calls for Vice President Constantino Chiwenga's resignation. The controversy ignited following a church sermon where the Vice President alluded to the biblical story of King Hezekiah and the implications of prolonged leadership. This message, however, has been interpreted by some, including politician Temba Mliswa, as a subtle challenge to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's authority, particularly in light of proposed constitutional amendments that could consolidate presidential power.

In a strong statement, ZNLWVA chairman Andrease Ethan Mathibela asserted that Vice President Chiwenga's actions were within his constitutional rights. Mathibela emphasized that participating in religious services and sharing personal reflections on faith does not constitute misconduct or an abuse of office. He highlighted that Zimbabwe's Constitution protects freedom of religion, expression, and association for all citizens, irrespective of their high office.

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The mere fact that Honourable Vice President Chiwenga occupies high office does not strip him of his identity as a citizen, nor does it curtail his right to worship, to reflect, and to share his faith within a religious setting.

The war veterans' association has also issued a stern warning against the politicization of religious spaces, arguing that such actions threaten national unity and democratic principles. They stressed that in a constitutional democracy, calls for resignation must be substantiated by clear evidence of wrongdoing, which they maintain is absent in this case. This defense underscores the ZNLWVA's role as a staunch supporter of the current political establishment, framing any criticism of Vice President Chiwenga as an attack on the party's leadership and the nation's stability.

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Attending a church service and sharing scriptural reflections cannot, under any reasonable interpretation of the law, constitute misconduct, abuse of office, or any form of constitutional violation.