On April 25, 2026, Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga told a Roman Catholic congregation in Murewa the story of King Hezekiah from the Bible. Hezekiah was told he would die, prayed for more time, and was given 15 extra years—but those years brought serious problems.
A video of the remarks was posted on X by ZimLive on April 26, 2026. It quickly went viral, with many people speculating that Chiwenga was secretly commenting on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s reported wish to extend his term until 2030.
What Did Chiwenga Say?
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He spoke at a church in Murewa on April 25, 2026.
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He told the story of King Hezekiah, who got 15 extra years of life but faced severe consequences.
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The video was shared by ZimLive on April 26, 2026, and got over 120,000 views in hours.
Why Did It Go Viral?
Zimbabweans quickly linked the story to the current debate over changing the constitution to let President Mnangagwa stay in power beyond 2030. In Zimbabwe, political speeches are often read for hidden meanings. Many saw the story of “extra years with consequences” as a warning against changing the constitution.
Reactions Online
Social media reactions were mixed:
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Some praised Chiwenga for using a simple biblical story to send a message.
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Others accused him of playing political games or positioning himself for a future power struggle.
The timing of the video—right after news reports about the president’s term extension plan—made it the main topic of conversation that day.
No Official Response
Neither the Vice President’s office nor the Catholic Church in Zimbabwe has explained what Chiwenga meant.
