Midweek Reporter
HARARE- A war of words has erupted between the most popular opposition figure, Nelson Chamisa and prominent journalist and film maker Hopewell Chin’ono with the former criticising the latter of peddling lies.
This week, Chin’ono wittingly took a jibe at opposition political leaders and their supporters for dismissing constructive criticism.
Chin’ono was responding to journalist Mduduzi Mathuthu who wrote that the recently appointed senator, Brilliant Dube was Chamisa’s chief of staff in 2018, killing the opposition from inside.
The veteran journalist, Chin’ono’s unrelenting attacks on Facebook forced Chamisa to respond, telling Chin’ono to stop being a propagandist who peddles lies and misinformation.
“When you tell Zimbabweans what is wrong with their political system, many become absolutely furious with you. They call you names, insult you and accuse you of betrayal simply because they do not want their political favourites to be criticised.
“When citizens treat political leaders as untouchable heroes and attack anyone who questions them, they create the conditions for incompetence, manipulation and failure to thrive. Leaders who are protected from criticism eventually become arrogant, detached and unaccountable,” wrote Chin’ono on his Facebook page.
Chin’ono took a jibe at another opposition figure, Gift Siziba over a message he posted in August 2022 waxing lyrical on the recently appointed senator Dube, the then Chamisa’s chief of staff.
On that post, Siziba wrote, “Brilliant Dube is one of the bureaucrats serving in the Presidency. As the director of protocol she has demonstrated amazing work capabilities in ensuring his principal, our president (Chamisa) operates swiftly.”
Chin’ono commended on this post saying, “Mnangagwa’s new senator. I could not help but laugh at the way they were bootlicking her in the comments. These are the same supporters who insulted us in 2022 when we sounded the alarm.”
In another Facebook post, Chin’ono said Chamisa founded Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and made himself its president, but refused to establish a constitution and party structures.
Chamisa did not take the criticisms lightly, forcing him to respond.
“Dear Hopewell Chin’ono, a proper and balanced journalist is a truth-teller who reports facts, not fiction. Be a journalist, not a propagandist who peddles lies and misinformation to serve the interests of the oppressors,” Chamisa’s message reads.
Chin’ono responded to Chamisa’s comment, saying “Please identify the specific lies and misinformation you claim I have peddled. Point to the precise statement, explain what is false about it and provide the correct facts.”
Their public spat generated an avalanche of comments from netizens, with the comments showing that the country is highly polarized.
Political opposition is currently on its knees owing to disunity, mistrust, infiltration and greediness among opposition figures.
