Tinotenda Hove – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sparked fresh unease after declaring Zimbabwe has entered the “Fourth Chimurenga,” a phase he says must deliver “total control” over the country’s wealth and economic direction.

Addressing mourners at the burial of national hero Simon Bere at National Heroes Acre on Monday, Mnangagwa cast the new phase as the next chapter of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle. But critics warn the language points to a dangerous expansion of state dominance over the economy.

“We are in the Fourth Chimurenga, which must see us assume total control of every aspect of our national wealth and economic development,” Mnangagwa said.

He traced what he called a history of national struggles, stating: “The Second Chimurenga secured our political independence, while the Third Chimurenga focused on reclaiming our land. We are now in the Fourth Chimurenga, which calls on us to take full control of our resources and national wealth as we modernise and industrialise the economy.”

Mnangagwa called on citizens to back the vision, stressing shared duty. “Each of us has a role to play in driving Zimbabwe to greater economic achievement, guided by patriotism, loyalty, and a commitment to increased productivity,” he said.

But analysts say the emphasis on “total control” is ringing alarm bells in a country already weighed down by policy unpredictability and shaky investor sentiment. Some warn the pronouncement could signal heavier state intervention, risking panic among local firms and foreign capital.

Observers note that while the government pitches the Fourth Chimurenga as a route to economic empowerment, past state-led drives have failed to deliver widespread prosperity, leaving most Zimbabweans battling persistent hardship.

The comments land as Zimbabwe’s economy strains under inflation, currency volatility, and sluggish industrial growth — problems critics argue demand practical reforms, not more liberation-era slogans.

As Mnangagwa frames the economy as the next battlefield, the key question remains whether the Fourth Chimurenga will bring real gains or tighten the chokehold on an already struggling economy.