By Political Reporter – An explosive clash erupted at the Zanu PF politburo meeting yesterday as President Emmerson Mnangagwa read the riot act to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s supporters.
The heated session convened to trim the number of delegates ahead of next month’s conference turned into a battleground over growing tensions between the two powerhouses.
Mnangagwa accused Chiwenga’s allies of using social media to rally support for the Vice President, signalling an alarming escalation in their power struggle.
Despite a behind-the-scenes deal made after the 2017 coup—which ousted Robert Mugabe and placed Mnangagwa in power—Mnangagwa is now mobilizing to block Chiwenga from taking over in 2028.
The meeting saw Mnangagwa issue a stern warning: “Unruly elements who are abusing various media platforms to cause alarm and despondency… stand warned,” he declared at party headquarters, directly targeting Chiwenga’s camp.
Mnangagwa, aiming to replace Chiwenga with his ally Mabel Chinomona at the upcoming Bulawayo conference, faces resistance from Chiwenga loyalists within the party.
Key figures at the meeting included Mnangagwa’s wife, Auxillia, Chiwenga, and senior party members Kembo Mohadi, Oppah Muchinguri, and Obert Mpofu.
The long-standing rivalry between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga, who spearheaded the 2017 coup, continues to threaten party unity, with signs of a deeper battle for control as the 2028 transition looms.