Temba Mliswa Accuses Wicknell Chivayo of Undermining CAB3 With MP Gifts

HARARE – Outspoken politician Temba Mliswa has accused businessman Wicknell Chivayo of damaging the credibility of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) by offering gifts to legislators who publicly support the controversial constitutional reform proposal.

Mliswa's criticism follows Chivayo's recent gift of a 2026 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 and US$50,000 in cash to Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) proportional representation MP Samantha Mureyani, who has publicly endorsed CAB3. The gift has intensified debate around the constitutional amendment process, with critics raising concerns about the optics of politicians receiving expensive gifts while Parliament considers major constitutional changes.

Writing on social media, Mliswa said he felt compelled to challenge what he described as Chivayo's continued involvement in matters relating to CAB3. Addressing Chivayo by his commonly used nickname, "Moyo," Mliswa questioned the rationale behind what he termed persistent interference in the constitutional amendment debate.

"Is this an issue of illiteracy on your part or something more profound?" Mliswa wrote.

The former Norton legislator argued that the gifts were unnecessary because ZANU-PF already possesses sufficient parliamentary numbers to pass the bill without relying on inducements or public displays of support.

According to Mliswa, the ruling party's parliamentary majority makes attempts to influence MPs redundant.

"ZANU PF possesses a comfortable majority in Parliament, comprising 194 MPs, thus rendering these theatrical gimmicks superfluous and potentially damaging to the integrity of the legislative process," he said.

He noted that a two-thirds parliamentary majority requires 187 votes and argued that ZANU-PF could comfortably secure passage of the bill even if all opposition legislators voted against it.

"Even in the event that the opposition, numbering 86 MPs, unanimously votes against CAB3, ZANU PF remains capable of passing the Bill with relative ease."

Mliswa further claimed that some opposition legislators already privately support the proposed constitutional changes.

The outspoken politician said the continued distribution of gifts risked undermining public confidence in the legislative process. He accused Chivayo of seeking recognition as the driving force behind the bill's passage through what he described as excessive inducements.

"That critical moment has passed, and your actions now serve only to tarnish what was once a promising endeavour," Mliswa wrote.

He argued that introducing gifts into an ongoing parliamentary process created perceptions that could damage the legitimacy of constitutional reform efforts.

"The party has already done its homework and these extravagant incentives only undermine the legitimacy of the process."

Mliswa was particularly critical of what he described as attempts to influence elected representatives through financial rewards and expensive gifts.

"The introduction of such bribes into a legitimate Parliamentary process is not only unwarranted but wholly unacceptable," he said.

While acknowledging Chivayo's success in business, Mliswa argued that political engagement required greater restraint and sophistication.

"I admire your ability to make money but not how you handle it. Financial matters within the political arena necessitate a degree of finesse and sophistication; otherwise, one risks appearing foolish."

The Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 remains one of the most contentious political issues in Zimbabwe. The proposed amendments have attracted criticism from opposition parties, legal experts, churches, civil society organisations, and some war veterans, who argue that such significant constitutional changes should be subjected to a national referendum. Government and supporters of the bill maintain that the proposed amendments can legally be enacted through Parliament without a public vote.

Meanwhile, Chivayo, known for high-profile vehicle donations and cash gifts to musicians, religious leaders, influencers, and public figures, has increasingly become a prominent figure in political debates surrounding CAB3. As public scrutiny intensifies, the controversy over gifts to politicians is likely to remain a key talking point in Zimbabwe's ongoing constitutional reform debate.

Wicknell Chivayo CAB3