President Mnangagwa’s Spokesperson George Charamba Explains The “Leader Of The Opposition” Deal That Chamisa Rejected

President Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba, has explained the Leader of the Opposition deal that Nelson Chamisa rejected.

The “Sweet” Offer

In 2019, President Emmerson Mnangagwa considered amending the constitution to accommodate Chamisa. He sought to introduce the “Leader of the Opposition” post. This was months after the disputed 2018 election, which had to be concluded by the Constitutional Court.

President Mnangagwa mentioned that this offer was a way to recognise Chamisa’s significant share in the electoral system and his following, given Chamisa’s close second-place finish in the presidential elections with 44.3% of the vote to ED’s 50.8%.

“I had proposed that whoever is the Leader of the opposition, whether he is in Parliament or outside, we should make such a provision, such that they are recognised as an official Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, and they are accorded that status.

“Because the fact that you will become the official Leader of the Opposition, it’s a recognition that you have some following, you have some share in the electoral system, which is significant, and in any case, you should be recognised.”

However, Chamisa rejected the offer. At that time, Chamisa was the MDC-T president before he was elbowed out by the Supreme Court.

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George Charamba Explains The Deal To Make Chamisa Leader Of The Opposition In Parliament

President Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba, preempted the offer that Chamisa rejected on X:

“WHAT CAN’T: Chamisa cannot be available as a NATIONAL LEADER; he can only be available as a PARTISAN, PARTY-LESS LEADER!!!!! The reason is simple: He turned down the offer of LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN PARLIAMENT, itself an elevated NATIONAL STATUS. Zvimwe zvese rangova drama zvaro!!!!!!

“I can share with you what the plan then was. Chamisa was going to get one of his MPs to cede a constituency to him in return for some ambassadorial posting. Chamisa would have got into Parliament on that basis, itself founded on mutual understanding between parties. The same idea had been agreed to with Tsvangirai although it got overtaken by GNU arrangements. There is always a way out, as you saw with Mwonzora, who became that even though he had been outside Parliament!!!!”

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