Investigative journalist and political activist Hopewell Chin’ono has made it clear that he will not get involved in the ongoing infighting within Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU-PF.
Chin’ono, who is currently in forced political exile due to his outspoken criticism of the government, shared his stance on the political turmoil engulfing the party.
According to Chin’ono, while he would welcome the removal of Emmerson Mnangagwa from power, he emphasized that he would not be drawn into the internal battles of ZANU-PF. “This is a ZANU-PF affair,” he said, noting that he is not a member of the ruling party and therefore does not see it as his place to interfere in their power struggles.
Chin’ono, who has been vocal about corruption and human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, explained that his past experiences have taught him the dangers of supporting a political upheaval without genuine, systemic change.
He pointed out that during the previous attempt to oust former President Robert Mugabe, opposition factions sought his support for what later turned out to be a coup.
“I was jailed three times by the coup government and Mnangagwa for exposing corruption. I never heard any of the people who are now calling for change speak out against that,” Chin’ono remarked.
He made it clear that many of the figures who have suffered under Mnangagwa’s regime, including politicians like Job Sikhala and Jacob Ngarivhume, failed to speak out against the injustices he faced.
The prominent journalist and filmmaker also indicated that, while he respects the rights of war veterans and citizens to express their opinions, he will not be involved unless the change is meaningful and focused on a free and fair electoral process. He warned that any leadership change within ZANU-PF that does not address the fundamental issues of governance, corruption, and lack of democracy would be meaningless.
Chin’ono also stressed that any political shift within ZANU-PF—whether it’s Mnangagwa or Vice President Constantino Chiwenga taking the reins—would still be part of the same system that has failed the people of Zimbabwe for decades. He noted, “No matter who leads ZANU-PF, whether Mnangagwa or Chiwenga, it is still the same party, the same system. They are all part of the same corrupt establishment.”
However, Chin’ono remained cautiously optimistic about a potential shift in leadership. If Mnangagwa were to be removed and replaced with a more democratic and accountable system, he said it could offer him a chance to return to Zimbabwe and reunite with his family.
But his support for such a change hinges on a genuine commitment to free and fair elections—not just a political exchange of power within ZANU-PF.
“I will not participate in anything that isn’t about real change,” Chin’ono affirmed. “If they offer free and fair elections, I will support that, but if it’s just about handing the opposition a place at the feeding trough, then I won’t be involved.”
In the end, Hopewell Chin’ono made it clear that he would continue to observe from the sidelines, watching the unfolding political drama in Zimbabwe. He maintained that his focus remains on fighting for true, systemic change—one that goes beyond the internal squabbles of ZANU-PF, towards a Zimbabwe that is governed by the will of the people.
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