By Albert Mpofu
In a candid interview with Alpha Media Holdings chairman Trevor Ncube on the platform “In Conversation with Trevor,” Godfrey Tsenengamu, the former ZANU PF Youth League Political Commissar, voiced his disappointment with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership. Tsenengamu, who had played a pivotal role in supporting Mnangagwa’s rise to power after the 2017 military coup that toppled former President Robert Mugabe, expressed his disillusionment with the current administration.
During the interview, Tsenengamu initially expressed high hopes for Mnangagwa, believing he possessed the potential to combat corruption and lead the nation effectively. Tsenengamu looked beyond tribal divisions within ZANU PF and saw Mnangagwa as a national leader capable of bringing positive change to Zimbabwe. However, Tsenengamu’s perception of Mnangagwa shifted as he observed the president’s actions in office.
Recalling a past incident, Tsenengamu explained that he was suspended from ZANU PF for inviting Mnangagwa to an event against the wishes of provincial leaders. Tsenengamu had hoped that Mnangagwa, having been a long-time loyalist to Mugabe, would serve as a bridge between the older and younger generations and lead the country in a transitional manner. However, Tsenengamu came to the realization that Mnangagwa was comfortable with his appointed officials and was pursuing his own agenda through them.
The disappointment in Mnangagwa’s leadership ultimately led Tsenengamu to launch the Front for Economic Emancipation of Zimbabwe (FEEZ) party in 2021. The formation of FEEZ followed Tsenengamu and another ZANU PF member, Lewis Matutu, being suspended in 2020 for indiscipline after accusing influential party benefactors of capturing state institutions.
The recent allegations made by Al Jazeera’s documentary “Gold Mafia,” which implicates Mnangagwa and his family in gold smuggling and money laundering, further exacerbate the criticism surrounding his administration. These allegations not only tarnish the president’s image but also intensify the demand for accountability and transparency.
