Harare, Zimbabwe – June 23, 2025 – In a shocking statement during the burial of national hero Cde Luke Mushore at the National Heroes Acre, Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Hon. Kazembe Kazembe, appeared to back controversial sentiments attributed to Joshua Maponga, a prominent Zanu PF-aligned cleric, suggesting President Emmerson Mnangagwa should abandon democracy in favor of a dictatorship to propel Zimbabwe forward.
The remarks came as thousands gathered to honor Cde Mushore, a liberation war veteran and former Zanu PF Mashonaland Central chairman, who died on June 13, 2025.
The ceremony, attended by President Mnangagwa, Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, and other senior officials, was meant to celebrate Mushore’s legacy. However, Kazembe’s comments stole the spotlight, igniting debate amid Zimbabwe’s fragile political climate.
Addressing mourners, Kazembe referenced Maponga’s recent assertions, widely circulated on social media, that democracy has hindered Zimbabwe’s progress and that a strong, centralized leadership—akin to a dictatorship—would better address the nation’s economic and social challenges.
“We hear the calls from voices like Maponga, who say we must move decisively. Sometimes, to move forward, we need a firm hand to guide us, as our President has shown,” Kazembe said, stopping short of explicitly endorsing dictatorship but praising Mnangagwa’s “resolute leadership.”
The minister’s remarks come at a tense time, with Zanu PF facing internal divisions over Mnangagwa’s reported ambitions to extend his presidency beyond the constitutional two-term limit, set to end in 2028. Critics, including war veterans and opposition figures, have accused Mnangagwa of consolidating power, citing recent dismissals of top security officials as efforts to “coup-proof” his regime.
Maponga, known for his fiery rhetoric and Afrocentric views, has not publicly confirmed the exact phrasing of his statement but has previously advocated for strong leadership models, drawing comparisons to historical African rulers. His comments have sparked polarized reactions, with some Zanu PF supporters echoing the need for decisive governance, while others warn of authoritarianism.
Opposition leaders and civil society groups swiftly condemned Kazembe’s remarks. “Endorsing dictatorship at a national hero’s burial is an insult to the liberation struggle Cde Mushore fought for,” said a spokesperson for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). Analysts suggest the minister’s statement may reflect growing frustration within Zanu PF over economic stagnation and public discontent, with nearly two-thirds of Zimbabweans believing the country is on the wrong path.
President Mnangagwa, in his address, focused on Mushore’s contributions, avoiding direct reference to Kazembe’s comments. However, his call for unity and “resilience against detractors” was seen by some as a tacit response to the controversy.
