In Zimbabwe today, we are watching a very sad story unfold. A man named Sengezo Tshabangu has found his way into power not through the will of the people, but through tricks, lies, and betrayal. Tshabangu did not win any election. Instead, he walked into the Senate using the back door. He did this by recalling elected MPs, councillors, mayors, and senators — people who were chosen by the people in free and fair elections.
This is not leadership. This is not democracy. This is theft of power.
Tshabangu’s actions show a kind of politics that is full of dishonesty. He removed elected officials and replaced them with people the voters had already rejected. He claimed to represent the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), but he was never elected to any leadership position in that party. His rise is not just about politics. It is a clear attack on democracy itself.
What makes this even worse is that Tshabangu’s tricks are supported by powerful people. The government, the courts, and even state security agents all played a part in helping him. This shows how deep the problem is. Those who are supposed to protect the people’s vote are now helping to destroy it.
Tshabangu said he was angry at Nelson Chamisa and his team for choosing candidates without the people’s input. But look at what Tshabangu did — he chose himself and others without any vote at all. He used the same method he claimed to be against. This is pure hypocrisy.
This is not just about one man or one political party. It is about the kind of country we are building. If we allow people like Tshabangu to succeed, we are telling the world that democracy means nothing in Zimbabwe. We are saying that power belongs to the few, not the many. We are saying that votes do not count.
What Tshabangu has done will not be forgotten. It has damaged people’s trust in elections. It has hurt communities that voted for leaders they believed in. It has made young people question if voting even matters. This is the real cost of Tshabangu’s selfishness.
The winners for now may be Tshabangu and Zanu PF, who supported him. But the losers are the people of Zimbabwe. When the people lose their voice, democracy dies. When the courts and government support lies over truth, justice is buried. When those in power use state institutions to silence opponents, freedom is lost.
This is why we must speak out. We must say no to hypocrisy. We must reject leaders who lie and cheat their way into office. We must defend our votes and protect our democracy.
Zimbabwe does not belong to Tshabangu or any other politician. It belongs to the people. And the people must rise to defend it.
Let this moment be a warning. If we do not stop this kind of political game now, it will become normal. And if it becomes normal, the idea of elections will become meaningless. We must stand up and say: enough is enough.
True democracy means leaders are chosen by the people. It means power is earned, not stolen. Tshabangu’s rise may look like a win for now, but history will remember it as a dark and shameful moment. Let us fight to make sure it does not happen again.
The future of Zimbabwe depends on it.