HARARE, Mar. 18 (NewsDay Live) — A bitter war of words between outspoken politician Temba Mliswa and a group of retired generals and war veterans has escalated, with the former military commanders issuing a stern warning to the former legislator to back down.
The dispute erupted after the veterans, led by Air Vice-Marshal Henry Muchena (Retired), submitted a report to Parliament criticising the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill.
In their submission, the group accused authorities of attempting to engineer a “constitutional coup” by seeking to amend key provisions of the Constitution without a public referendum.
At the centre of the controversy is a proposal to extend the terms of the President and Parliament by two years, shifting the next elections from 2028 to 2030.
Mliswa responded with a series of scathing statements and videos on X (formerly Twitter), accusing the retired generals of disrespecting President Emmerson Mnangagwa and suggesting their actions bordered on treason.
He also alleged that Muchena and his colleagues had failed to stand up for ordinary war veterans during their time in positions of authority.
But in a strongly worded response, Muchena said Mliswa had crossed a line and shown blatant disrespect to the military command.
“You have threatened us with charges of treason for making a formal written submission in terms of the Constitution, following a very public call by the Clerk of Parliament,” Muchena said.
“We do not take that lightly, and we advise you not to repeat it ever.”
“We take the greatest exception to your tone and to your threats,” he added. “We will not take that lying down. When you shake the baobab, be certain you can withstand what falls from it.”
Muchena defended the group’s actions as lawful and in line with Parliament’s invitation for public input on the bill.
He dismissed Mliswa’s accusations as “constitutionally illiterate” and described his attempt to link their stance to “bitterness born of unemployment” as “beneath contempt.”
“Where do you get off addressing retired generals and senior civil servants who gave their lives for the freedom you abuse now?” Muchena queried.
He pointed out that Mliswa — whom he noted is not a member of Zanu PF — was advancing narrow personal interests.
“The only interests that must stand supreme are the interests of the Zimbabwean people, not those of individuals or certain Zviganandas,” Muchena said.
Mliswa had not responded to the latest remarks by the time of publication.