HARARE – Political activists are reportedly pushing Zimbabwe’s opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) to move a motion in Parliament to impeach President Emmerson Mnangagwa over alleged corruption in the gold sector by his associates.
The call comes after Al Jazeera produced a documentary called Gold Mafia, revealing the alleged smuggling of Zimbabwe’s gold and money laundering by Mnangagwa’s allies.
Activist group Team Pachedu said that impeachment was the “most viable” way for the opposition to hold the president accountable for the corruption within his government.
CCC chief whip Prosper Mutseyami stated that the party was aware of the calls to table an impeachment motion on Mnangagwa.
“We make decisions through the party caucus. Whatever decision we make, we make it collectively. We will discuss it in our caucus, and then a decision will come after consultation with our leadership.”
Dangers of impeaching Mnangagwa
However, political analyst Eldred Masunungure warned that impeachment was a “wild goose chase” as the chances of the position to remove Mnangagwa from power are slim.
“It will be a symbolic act, which will not be able to remove Mnangagwa from State House, but will only attract a vicious reaction from the State,” Masunungure said.
The CCC is currently focused on internal party processes this week, but its legislators can attend parliamentary sessions virtually.
Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba has previously threatened journalists covering the Al Jazeera exposé.
In 2017, former President Robert Mugabe was forced to resign after impeachment processes went into motion following a military coup.
“It is a matter of national duty placed upon the Legislature to be the watchdog on the Executive’s failure. If they do not, this will render the House a useless institution,” said Team Pachedu in a statement.
