By A Correspondent| Following the death of Foreign Affairs minister SB Moyo, Agriculture minister Perrence Shiri and now Douglas Nyikayaramba among other top military brass credited for the November 2017 military coup, a Zanu PF faction fronted by vice President Constantino Chiwenga has been decimated giving President Emmerson Mnangagwa an edge against his foes.

Nyikayaramba was confirmed dead this morning with sources saying he succumbed to the deadly COVID-19.

According to sources to Zanu PF, Chiwenga had succeeded in keeping to his faction, military personnel who were part of the coup that removed the late former President Robert Mugabe.

On the other hand, Mnangagwa relied on party stalwarts some of who are now stationed at the party headquarters and provincial chairpersons some of whom rallied behind him during the time he was under fire from the G40 faction.

Mnangagwa went on to appoint his own people in key party and government positions with one case in point being the replacement of Engelbert Rugeje by Victor Matemadanda to the position of National Commissar.

The move was seen as part of Mnangagwa’s plot to deal with Chiwenga aligned people who were occupying key party positions.

Chiwenga has also fought for his people including SB Moyo and Perrence Shiri but COVID-19 seems to have other ideas giving Mnangagwa an edge in the power dynamics.