Blow As Chamisa Rejects Participation in 17 October Protests Against Mnangagwa Government
By Staff Reporter
OPPOSITION leader leader Nelson Chamisa has announced he will not participate in the planned protests against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, set for 17 October 2025.
Chamisa’s decision comes as a result of the opposition’s bitter lessons from the 2017 military takeover, which he claims taught them not to get involved in internal factional battles within Zanu-PF.
In a statement addressing the call for protests, Chamisa stated that the 2017 experience had reinforced the importance of maintaining distance from Zanu-PF’s internal struggles, specifically its ongoing succession battle. The opposition leader referred to the events surrounding the ousting of former President Robert Mugabe, noting that the MDC’s involvement at the time ultimately left them feeling used and betrayed by Zanu-PF after Mugabe’s departure.
This latest round of protests was prompted by former Zanu-PF Central Committee member Blessed Runesu Geza, who has called for a “one-million-man march” against President Mnangagwa and his alleged corrupt practices. Geza’s accusations have focused on several high-profile figures, including business tycoons such as Wicknell Chivayo, Delish Nguwaya, Paul Tungwarara, and Kudakwashe Tagwirei.
However, analysts believe the protests are not merely about corruption but reflect a deeper rift within Zanu-PF. The planned demonstration is seen as a sign of growing tensions between Mnangagwa’s faction and his deputy, Rtd General Constantino Chiwenga. Many insiders believe Chiwenga is positioning himself as the likely successor to Mnangagwa, though Mnangagwa loyalists are reportedly pushing to extend the current president’s term beyond the constitutional limit.
This internal power struggle echoes the situation in 2017, when the MDC, then known as the Movement for Democratic Change, took to the streets in hopes of influencing the post-Mugabe transition, only to be sidelined by Zanu-PF shortly thereafter.
Chamisa, responding directly to calls for his involvement in the upcoming protests, took to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday to underscore his position. “2017 taught us a big lesson!” Chamisa wrote, stressing that the core issue plaguing Zimbabwe’s political and economic crisis remains the disputed 2023 elections.
He further stated, “Ignoring the 2023 stolen election is ignoring the root of our crisis. Anything that does not address the 2023 stolen election is a fraud and a waste of time. Corruption, capture, suffering – they’re symptoms of a disputed mandate and a contested government. Let’s treat the cause, not the symptoms.”
Chamisa, despite resigning from the CCC in January 2024, continues to hold significant influence within the opposition and retains a strong following among disillusioned voters. His departure from the CCC has left the opposition fractured, with divisions widening as different factions struggle for control and leadership.
While the protest scheduled for Friday is expected to draw thousands, it remains unclear whether Chamisa’s absence will significantly impact its turnout or the broader opposition strategy moving forward.
About Nelson Chamisa
Nelson Chamisa is a prominent Zimbabwean politician and former leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). A former leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Chamisa has been a key figure in Zimbabwe’s opposition politics for over a decade. Known for his outspoken criticism of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, Chamisa remains a central figure in the country’s ongoing political landscape.
For further information, please contact
Chamisa Media Office
Email: media@chamisazimbabwe.com
Website: www.chamisazimbabwe.com
