By Kudzai Makuku There are moments in politics when one must pause and question whether a public figure still possesses the capacity for reasoned thought. Themba Mliswa’s recent outburst, his call for Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife to resign from the military, is one such moment. What he presents as bold political commentary is, in reality, a troubling sign of intellectual and moral decay. His comments reveal not only a deep misunderstanding of institutional ethics but also an alarming willingness to undermine the very principles he claims to defend. To call for the resignation of a serving officer purely based on her marital relationship is not merely misguided; it is an insult to professionalism, gender equality, and the fundamental tenets of fairness. Mliswa’s reasoning assumes, without evidence, that the Vice President’s wife is incapable of executing her duties impartially. This assumption is not only baseless but also steeped in a subtle form of sexism. It suggests that a woman’s competence and loyalty are secondary to the identity of her husband. Such thinking is profoundly regressive. The Zimbabwe National Army, like any disciplined institution, operates under a strict hierarchy, clear codes of conduct, and internal mechanisms designed to prevent undue influence or conflict of interest. To suggest that an individual’s marriage automatically compromises their professionalism is both illogical and insulting to every woman who serves her country with integrity and distinction. Moreover, Mliswa’s claim that her presence within the ranks creates an “unfair situation for her superiors” is a diversion rather than a genuine argument. The military has long managed complex relationships, family ties, and overlapping hierarchies without descending into chaos. These matters are dealt with through established regulations, not through public humiliation or social media sensationalism. If genuine concerns exist, there are formal channels to address them. Resorting to public attacks is not reformist zeal; it is reckless populism. What is most dangerous about Mliswa’s approach is the precedent it seeks to normalise, the notion that individuals can be publicly vilified or expelled from service because of who they are related to. Today, it is the Vice President’s wife; tomorrow, it could be any civil servant, teacher, or soldier whose relative holds a political position. This descent into “guilt by association” corrodes the foundations of professionalism and threatens the neutrality of state institutions. It signals a disturbing willingness to sacrifice institutional integrity on the altar of personal vendetta. Mliswa’s call for what he terms a “ruthless purge” reveals something even darker, an authoritarian instinct dressed in the language of reform. True accountability is achieved through transparency, fairness, and adherence to the rule of law, not through public lynching or the weaponisation of social commentary. His rhetoric is not a defence of ethics; it is an assault on them.Zimbabwe’s progress depends on the maturity of its political discourse. When politicians choose character assassination over constructive engagement, they do not challenge power; they erode democracy. When they conflate accountability with humiliation, they do not advance reform; they degrade public service. We must learn to rise above factional politics and resist the temptation to drag innocent professionals into personal feuds. The Vice President’s wife deserves to be judged by her service record, not her surname. This is not accountability. It is harassment, and it must be called out as such. It’s SAD! Post navigation Lessons Learnt from the People’s Conference , Diaspora Structures Must Do More in the Pursuit of Genuine Representation Mliswa’s Continued Attacks on the President’s Inner Circle Are Deeply Concerning