Tsenengamu calls out Mnangagwa for betraying Zimbabweans

HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been criticized for betraying the people of Zimbabwe and those who supported him during the transition from the late former President Robert Mugabe’s regime.

The revelation was made by Godfrey Tsenengamu, a former Zanu PF youth leader and founder of the Front for Economic Emancipation of Zimbabwe (FEEZ), in a candid interview with Alpha Media Holdings chairman Trevor Ncube on the program “In Conversation with Trevor.”

Tsenengamu pointed out that Mnangagwa came to power through a military coup on November 17, 2017, which toppled Mugabe.

At the time, Tsenengamu believed that Mnangagwa, as a top party leader, had the potential to address the rampant corruption in the country.

He stated, “I was clear from the time Mai (Joice) Mujuru went down saying I think the one who is going to be the next president was Emmerson Mnangagwa and it was a taboo to say that…

“When I was looking at Mna-ngagwa, I was not seeing a Karanga. I was seeing somebody with the potential of becoming a national leader.”

Tsenengamu explained that he supported the incumbent because he believed the new president could bridge the gap between the old guard and the younger generation.

Tsenengamu’s fallout with Mnangagwa

However, Tsenengamu’s perception of Mnangagwa changed after the president took office, and he realized that the promises and discussions they had before November 2017 were not being fulfilled.

He said, “From our engagements pre-November 2017, he would appear like someone who was sincere and when he got into power I expected that he was going to keep his word…

“But I said no, these people who are surrounding Mna-ngagwa did not come from heaven, he appointed them, and he is comfortable working with them, he is pushing through his agenda and whatever he seeks to do through them.”

Tsenengamu’s disillusionment with the Zanu PF leader led him to launch the Front for Economic Emancipation of Zimbabwe (FEEZ) party in 2021.

He criticized Mnangagwa’s government, along with many politicians and analysts, describing it as incompetent, corrupt, and authoritarian.

Recently, Mnangagwa and his family faced allegations of involvement in a gold smuggling and money laundering scandal exposed in the documentary “Gold Mafia” aired by Al Jazeera.

The accusations by Tsenengamu highlight the growing dissatisfaction and criticism of President Mnangagwa’s leadership, as Zimbabwe continues to face economic challenges and calls for greater accountability and transparency in governance.