Political Reporter
Harare – Jealousy Mawarire, former spokesperson for late President Robert Mugabe, has voiced his support for a constitutional court application filed by disgruntled war veterans challenging the legality of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Lands Tenure Implementation Committee.
The committee, led by businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, aims to establish freehold ownership of agricultural land, which the veterans argue contradicts constitutional provisions that designate land ownership to the State.
According to the war veterans, the committee has been demanding payments of an unclear nature from beneficiaries of Zimbabwe’s Land Reform Programme, with some being ordered to pay amounts as high as US$1.5 million. They are seeking to have the committee declared unlawful and insist that all land issues should be managed by the constitutionally mandated Land Commission.
Speaking on SABC’s Channel Africa, Mawarire criticized the committee, labeling it a “quartet of looters” and a group of “land barons” operating under Mnangagwa’s leadership.
“The President’s attempt to introduce freehold land ownership is a huge departure from the provisions of the constitution and the overarching objective of the liberation struggle, which was to deal with private ownership of land,” Mawarire stated.
He further expressed concerns about the President’s fidelity to constitutional principles, saying,
“We have a President who does not respect the constitution for which he was sworn in to uphold.”
Mawarire argued that if Mnangagwa has abandoned his responsibilities and begun to act like a land baron, then the war veterans have no choice but to intervene and provide the necessary checks and balances that the opposition can no longer fulfill.
“They have launched a Constitutional Court application in order to put a stop to this madness that is being presided over by the President and his coterie of looters,” he asserted.
Mawarire emphasized that the formation of this committee represents a parallel structure created by the President that is outside the constitutional framework.
Sections 296, 297, and 72 of the Zimbabwean Constitution affirm State ownership of all agricultural land and outline the role of the Land Commission while nullifying existing title deeds.
Mawarire, who has been outspoken not only about the land issue but also about Mnangagwa’s attempts to extend his presidency beyond two terms until 2030, highlighted the significance of war veterans confronting the ruling party. He noted the weakening of opposition politics, stating,
“It is actually an indication that we no longer have opposition politics in the country, that is why you find war veterans have stepped in to provide checks and balances.”
After nearly two decades of challenging the ruling party, the MDC, now led by Douglas Mwonzora, has diminished in influence. Meanwhile, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), previously headed by Nelson Chamisa, has faced turmoil after being overtaken by self-styled secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu, who has begun to support Mnangagwa’s term extension. Chamisa has since distanced himself from the party, announcing a sabbatical.
Mawarire’s comments reflect a growing sentiment among some Zimbabweans that the current political landscape is in need of significant change and accountability.
Zim GBC News2025