Chamisa Declares War on ‘Dealers’ in Govt, Vows ‘Retooled’ Political Relaunch
Nelson Chamisa, the former leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), used a major charity event to deliver a highly political address, vowing to “retool” and “relaunch” his movement while strongly denouncing corruption within the current government.
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Chamisa delivered the address at the annual “Caring Hearts, Sharing Hope” charity program in Harare on December 14, 2025.
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He condemned current leadership, stating, “Nations fall because they have more dealers than leaders.”
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Chamisa affirmed his dedication to his cause, telling supporters, “I have the energy, I have the power, I have the commitment to go forward.”
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He announced his political strategy is to “retool, refresh, reload, and relaunch in a big way.”
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The former MP confirmed he had not taken a parliamentary pension, stating, “integrity is the high line of fine leadership.”
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He stressed that Zimbabwe will be liberated by “prayer” rather than “activism” or “guns.”
The War Against the ‘Takers’
Chamisa centered his message on a strong moral distinction between a political mindset of “giving” and one of “taking.” Drawing on the theological concept of kenosis (self-emptying), he argued that the nation’s current predicament is due to a failure of leadership, resulting in “more dealers than leaders.” A “dealer,” Chamisa asserted, is present “to take,” while a true leader is there “to give.” This critique framed the ruling ZANU-PF party as the ultimate representation of the “takers” mentality, responsible for the country’s economic and social distress.
The speech also served as an attempt to reassure followers after a period of relative political silence and high-profile resignations from his movement. Addressing his time out of the spotlight, Chamisa boasted that even when silent, he continued to “dominate their minds” (referring to ZANU-PF). He emphasized that his current political hiatus is strategic, assuring supporters that he would only announce new moves if they were “materially relevant.” His renewed call to action focused on mobilizing, organizing, and uniting the people, with the ultimate destination being “a government for all and for everyone.”
Further seeking to project an image of principled leadership, Chamisa made a public declaration regarding his past political life. He told the audience that he had not taken a parliamentary pension, explaining that he could not be exemplary as a “giver” if he was also “willing to take.” He paid homage to the late former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, honoring his predecessor for “never betray[ing] people,” framing his own political journey as a continuation of that legacy of integrity and commitment to the nation.
Timeline of Key Events
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December 14, 2025: Nelson Chamisa delivers a major address at the annual “Caring Hearts, Sharing Hope” charity event in Harare.
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December 14, 2025: Video of the speech, focusing on his political return and criticism of the government, is published online, immediately drawing significant public attention.
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December 15, 2025: The speech dominates Zimbabwean political discourse, sparking discussion about the timeline and nature of his announced political “relaunch.”
Key Players
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Nelson Chamisa: Former opposition leader delivering the keynote address and announcing a “relaunch” of his political movement.
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ZANU-PF: The ruling party, strongly criticized by Chamisa and labeled as “dealers” for perceived corruption and self-enrichment.
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Morgan Tsvangirai: The late former MDC President, whose legacy Chamisa honored as a yardstick for principled leadership.
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Zimbabwean Diaspora: A community of nearly five million people, acknowledged by Chamisa as suffering globally and viewing him as a “vessel” for future change.
