Tinotenda Hove — Politician Temba Mliswa has fired back at a group of retired military generals and senior civil servants who have publicly opposed Constitutional Amendment No. 3, calling their stance a “duplicitous campaign” aimed at intimidating civilian political debate.

The response comes after Air Marshal (Retired) Henry Muchena and his colleagues issued a public letter warning against the amendment and criticizing Mliswa’s earlier comments about their role in politics.
In his rebuttal, Mliswa described the letter as a “menacing communication” and insisted that military protocol has no place in democratic discussions.

“Zimbabwe is a democratic and not a military state where individuals must shrink from expressing their views,” he said. He added that political engagement should be conducted on “equal footing” and judged on ideas, not “the adornments of rank and distinction.”

Mliswa also singled out Muchena—whom he said is also known as Jabulani Mahlangu—accusing the retired officer of hypocrisy for championing universal adult suffrage while allegedly having a violent political past. He claimed Muchena and his associates carry a “dark legacy” tied to partisan violence in previous elections.

He alleged that in 2009, Muchena and other military leaders coordinated a campaign to consolidate former President Robert Mugabe’s hold on power during the June runoff, which resulted in civilian deaths and displacement.

He further accused Muchena and Sydney Nyanungo of leading a violent operation in 2013, dubbed “Operation Return to Zanu PF,” sending senior military personnel into rural and urban areas to mobilize political support.

“The same Muchena, who today postures as a paragon of liberation virtues, was reportedly the orchestrator of a campaign that deployed senior military personnel… to undermine the very same universal adult suffrage that he now claims to champion,” Mliswa said, adding that during his tenure in Hurungwe, he refused to engage in such tactics.

On the broader political landscape, Mliswa argued that the Second Republic is rooted in citizen action rather than military dominance. He cited the 2017 transition, saying the military “faltered” when Mugabe resisted pressure, and that it was public protest and parliamentary impeachment that ultimately forced Mugabe out.

Regarding the Amendment Bill, Mliswa expressed support for “vigorous and unbiased public dialogue” but questioned why the generals remained silent when the proposal was being debated within ZANU PF. He accused the group of using the liberation struggle as a political tool for their own interests.

“The liberation heroes did their part and it’s high time national leadership shifted to a younger generation with a different mindset,” Mliswa said. “It’s dangerous to have elders that are forever entitled to power to the point of resisting even what thrives a nation or their own party.”