HARARE, Mar. 17 (NewsDay Live) — Self-exiled former minister Saviour Kasukuwere has urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to engage disgruntled war veterans and retired generals after they submitted a scathing report opposing proposed constitutional amendments.
In submissions to Parliament, the ex-combatants said they would not “fold their arms” while the Constitution is “butchered” to serve elite interests. They also accused unnamed Zanu PF-linked financiers—dubbed “Zviganandas”—of driving what they described as a constitutional coup.
Constitutional Amendment No. 3 seeks to extend the terms of both Parliament and the presidency by two years beyond their 2028 expiry. It also proposes scrapping direct presidential elections and abolishing the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, among other sweeping changes.
The group demanded the Bill be subjected to a referendum and drew parallels with events leading to the 2017 ouster of former president Robert Mugabe.
Kasukuwere warned Mnangagwa not to dismiss the concerns.
“Please don’t let dangerous characters destroy you. Find the generals and real ex-combatants and engage them,” he posted on X.
“I have travelled this road before. Don’t dismiss Air Marshal Muchena or allow him to be insulted. The ball is in your court.”
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Former Norton MP Temba Mliswa criticised the ex-combatants, accusing them of “weaponising inconsequential accolades” against Mnangagwa.
“They must exercise caution, as their actions may be seen as undermining their Commander,” Mliswa said.
“Those within the system should raise concerns with professionalism—unless their motives are political and aimed at eroding the President’s authority.”
Retired Lieutenant-General Winston Sigauke Mapuranga dismissed Mliswa’s remarks.
“Proximity to power does not qualify you to lecture men who served their entire adult lives in uniform on the chain of command,” Mapuranga said.
“A soldier’s oath is to Zimbabwe and its Constitution—not to any individual or faction. Threatening retired generals for speaking out is not loyalty; it is bullying masquerading as power.”
