Harare – A heated exchange on social media has drawn attention to a growing rift between former opposition MP Fadzayi Mahere and former MP Temba Mliswa. The dispute began after Mliswa praised President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Precabe Farm, describing it as a “farming powerhouse” following a harvest of more than 100 hectares of potatoes valued at roughly US $1 million.
Mahere responded by questioning whether Mliswa’s access to the President had been used to address the deteriorating condition of government schools. She highlighted Dudley Hall Primary School in Norton, which recently sought a donation from businessman Wicknell Chivayo, and asked why the school’s facilities had “plummeted so badly” and were now reliant on private contributions.
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Mliswa dismissed Mahere’s remarks as “populism with no care for concrete results” and accused her of abandoning her constituency after resigning from Parliament. He wrote that Mahere “betrayed the support of those who sacrificed much for your candidature and dumped your constituency in a petulant manner,” describing her resignation as evidence of “weak and undependable” leadership. He also linked her departure to a decline in voter turnout in Mt Pleasant.
Mahere countered that Mliswa’s praise of the farm amounted to “grovelling at the feet” of the President and suggested his comments were motivated by “tumbatatisi nekuita makuhwa” (potatoes and gossip). She maintained that the issues she raised—particularly the state of public schools—should be addressed through parliamentary action rather than social‑media commentary.
The exchange underscores broader divisions within Zimbabwe’s political scene. Supporters of engagement with the ruling ZANU PF, such as Mliswa, argue that constructive dialogue can yield tangible benefits, while critics like Mahere maintain that principled opposition and public advocacy remain necessary.
Both politicians have attracted commentary from across the political spectrum, with some observers noting that the dispute reflects ongoing tensions between those who favor collaboration with the government and those who advocate a more confrontational stance.
The controversy remains unresolved, and the two figures have not indicated whether they will continue the public debate or pursue further dialogue.