HARARE – Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has returned home for the Christmas holidays following months of speculation over his whereabouts and political intentions.
Chamisa, who living, studying, and working in the United States, arrived quietly in the country this week, immediately heading to Mbare to pay condolences to the Dadzwa family following the passing of their matriarch.
“I’m in Mbare to pay condolences to the Dadzwa family for the loss of our beloved mother. I remain deeply touched by the love of the citizens of Zimbabwe. RIP Mama Dadzwa,” Chamisa said during the visit, his first public appearance in months.
Sources close to the ex opposition leader says he is expected to return to the US after the festive season.
His return follows a period of intense debate triggered by online indicators suggesting he had effectively relocated to the U.S. Geo-location data from X (formerly Twitter), which automatically identifies a user’s location after prolonged activity, had placed him in America for several months — fuelling claims that he had stepped back from frontline politics.
Chamisa’s extended absence had amplified divisions within the opposition, with some supporters expressing confusion and disappointment over his silence, while critics accused him of abandoning the struggle.
Before his return, Chamisa’s political journey had been under renewed scrutiny. Critics argue that since the MDC-T era, he systematically sidelined internal rivals, deepened factionalism, and weakened the opposition’s institutional structures.
His 2023 campaign strategy — branded “strategic ambiguity” — has come under particular fire. While his defenders celebrated it as savvy political theatre, detractors say it served to obscure financial flows, donor contributions, and accountability mechanisms within the movement.
Chamisa raised substantial funds ahead of the 2023 elections, with donations flowing in from Zimbabwe and the diaspora. Opponents claim he left the political battlefield with “tens of millions” in contributions, while supporters at home were left uncertain about his next steps.
During Chamisa’s time abroad, the opposition landscape fractured further. Key figures such as Job Sikhala and Tendai Biti emerged as alternative voices, attracting attention but also highlighting the absence of a unifying leader.
Others, including former MPs Chalton Hwende and Joanna Mamombe, faced internal criticism for continuing parliamentary duties despite Chamisa’s call for a boycott — a move that further illustrated the lack of consensus within the movement.
Analysts say Chamisa’s absence, followed by his sudden reappearance, has laid bare persistent structural weaknesses in the opposition: over-reliance on personalities, lack of institutional continuity, and fragile leadership cohesion.
Chamisa has yet to comment on his future political plans, leaving open questions about whether his return marks a temporary holiday visit or the beginning of a renewed political push.
What remains clear is that his re-entry has energised supporters who still view him as the opposition’s strongest national figure, while raising scepticism among detractors who feel vindicated in their long-held criticisms.
As Zimbabwe heads into the festive season amid economic strain and political uncertainty, Chamisa’s presence at home may become a defining moment — either an opportunity for a reset within the opposition or another chapter in its enduring turbulence.
