Chamisa Bids Farewell to EU Ambassador Hagemann With a Promise: “Mnangagwa Will Be Stopped”

By Staff Reporter

Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa on Thursday signed the book of condolences at the British Embassy to pay his final respects to the late European Union envoy H.E. Katrin Hagemann, describing her death as “a very sad and tragic” event.

The EU envoy passed away suddenly at her Harare residence on September 3, 2026, at the age of 53. She reportedly fell ill that morning and was later found unresponsive by her staff. Her untimely death came less than a year into her diplomatic posting, having officially taken office on December 11, 2025, after presenting her credentials to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Speaking to the media after signing the condolence book, Chamisa said, “The passing on of our Ambassador is a very sad and tragic development. It’s a sad blow, you know, she was very warm, very tender hearted, kind hearted and very professional and focused. Encouraging the best for Zimbabwe and the best for the European Union.

“So we are here to pass our solidarity message to the EU family and of course to the world.”

Chamisa added that during Hagemann’s brief tenure, they often discussed opportunities tied to Zimbabwe’s hopes of returning to its former glory. He recalled that in the 1990s, Zimbabwe exported over 9,000 tonnes of beef to the European Union.

“And of course I must say that she was very, very warm and very supportive. She would have time for Zimbabwe, especially our aspirations. We also wanted to say the best for our country. Issues around the deficit of good governance, issues around disputed constitutional processes like the amendment. She knew our position and she appreciated where we come from. So it’s a relationship that was built on trust, honesty, accountability and responsibility,” Chamisa said.

When asked about the current political situation, Chamisa criticized President Mnangagwa for endorsing the illegal Constitutional Amendment Act 3 without following constitutional procedures such as a referendum.

He explained that CAA 3 is just one symptom of the broader issues afflicting Zimbabwe, which stem from the disputed 2020 election and need urgent correction.

“It is governance stupid. It is politics stupid. It is elections stupid. It is the mandate stupid. And because these are the issues that must be dealt with around legitimacy, we must go back to the source of the problem, the foundational issues.

“Mr. Mnangagwa is now over. He needs to be tempered. He needs to be put into his proper position. He’s not a king. He’s a servant of the people. Any servant of the people must know that they don’t dictate their time in office. Office time is determined by the people, by the citizens, by God, by the constitution. So, yes, Mr. Mnangagwa can say whatever he wants but we will not allow him,” Chamisa concluded.