In a heated exchange on X (formerly Twitter), investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has publicly refuted statements made by politician Temba Mliswa denying allegations that he tricked former Zimbabwean minister Walter Mzembi into returning to Zimbabwe.

Hopewell Chin’ono’s post directly addresses Temba Mliswa, accusing him of spreading falsehoods and attempting to drag Chin’ono into political maneuvers he denies being part of. Chin’ono insists he never accused Mliswa of any wrongdoing but only recounted their personal interactions and warnings he had received.

According to Chin’ono, Mliswa personally sought him out in Johannesburg, urging him to return to Zimbabwe with assurances of safety. However, Chin’ono had already been cautioned by Ali Naka and sources within the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) that Mliswa was working with the CIO Director General to lure three individuals, including Walter Mzembi, whom President Mnangagwa allegedly wanted to detain.

Chin’ono shared WhatsApp screenshots of messages from Mliswa requesting meetings and visits, which he declined, citing travel plans to Addis Ababa — though he clarifies he never actually traveled there, having been warned about the alleged plot.

He further emphasizes his position as a journalist, not a politician, and rejects allegations tying him to tribal politics or asylum-seeking abroad, calling Mliswa’s claims lies and distortions of history.

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