Prominent constitutional lawyer Thabani Mpofu, popularly known as Advocate Fulcrum, has urged opposition leader Nelson Chamisa to exercise strategic caution in how he navigates relationships with the various segments of his support base.
In a detailed and reflective analysis shared through a thread on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Mpofu dissected the complex nature of Chamisa’s backing, emphasising that not all supporters are ideologically aligned with his vision, but many are united by a shared desire to see the ruling ZANU PF party removed from power.
Prominent Lawyer Mpofu Cautions Chamisa On Engaging A Diverse Electorate
The analysis, titled “Tread cautiously; they are not necessarily your enemies,” paints a vivid picture of Zimbabwe’s political terrain and the calculated behaviour of some sections of the electorate. Mpofu noted that while some Zimbabweans may not be emotionally or ideologically connected to Chamisa, they see him as the most viable alternative to the current regime and therefore offer what he termed “instrumental support”.
“An important dimension of Chamisa’s support base warrants careful consideration within the framework of political behaviourr and voter psychology,” Mpofu said.
“There exists a segment of the electorate that, while not ideologically or emotionally aligned with Chamisa, nonetheless desires his political success primarily as a means to an end: the removal of ZANU PF from power.”
According to Mpofu, this group’s hostility toward ZANU PF stems from a combination of deep-seated historical grievances, systemic marginalisation, and a general sense of political exclusion. For them, supporting Chamisa is less about loyalty to his leadership and more about the hope that change—even if imperfect—can still be achieved.
From a political science perspective, Mpofu described their stance as a form of rational, instrumental support. He argued that such individuals are not blind loyalists but rather sceptical actors who see Chamisa as a functional tool to accomplish the larger goal of dislodging a deeply entrenched regime.
“Their political engagement is thus characterised by conditional loyalty, tempered by scepticism born from repeated disappointments with opposition politics over time,” he wrote. “This manifests in a cautious, sometimes cynical posture, often expressed through a retrospective ‘I told you so’ attitude when opposition efforts falter.”
Such behaviour, Mpofu argued, is not necessarily destructive. Instead, it should be understood as a coping mechanism that allows these voters to manage their disillusionment while still holding on to some degree of hope for systemic reform.
He added that this constituency largely comprises members of Zimbabwe’s middle class and select elite groups—people with access to information, platforms, and resources that make their opinions particularly influential in the political discourse. Their support, therefore, cannot be dismissed or taken for granted.
“Their political behaviour underscores the complexity of opposition politics in Zimbabwe, where support is not merely affective but strategic and contingent,” Mpofu wrote.
He advised Chamisa and other opposition actors to be tactful and inclusive in their outreach, stressing that burning bridges with such voters could cost the opposition not just electorally, but also in terms of legitimacy and momentum.
“For opposition actors, maintaining engagement with this group requires nuanced outreach that acknowledges their frustrations without alienating them,” he said. “Burning bridges with these voters risks not only immediate electoral losses but also the erosion of a critical constituency that aspires to democratic transformation.”
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Mpofu concluded by calling for empathy and strategic clarity from Chamisa. He warned that failing to understand the complexity of voter behaviour could lead to further divisions within the opposition movement.
“The fact that you do not understand them does not make them wrong, much as the fact that you believe in your passion does not make you right,” he wrote in his final remarks. “At the end of it all, Chamisa remains by far our best foot forward.”
Mpofu’s message, though subtle, serves as a timely reminder of the evolving nature of political support in Zimbabwe and the importance of maintaining broad-based coalitions to achieve meaningful democratic change.
