By Political Reporter-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has officially lost his highly anticipated bid for re-election in 2028, ending his aspiration to extend his rule until 2030.
With defeat setting in, Mnangagwa struck a conciliatory tone, calling for unity among Zanu PF members in the wake of a bruising internal power struggle.
The succession saga between Mnangagwa and his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, dates back to the 2017 coup that ousted long-time leader Robert Mugabe.
In what was then a pact of convenience, the military-backed “junta” reportedly brokered an agreement that Mnangagwa would serve only one term before passing the torch to Chiwenga, the architect of the coup.
However, Mnangagwa’s ambitions of extending his leadership beyond the agreed timeframe created tensions within the party, leading to a prolonged power struggle that ultimately favoured Chiwenga.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of Zanu PF’s 21st National People’s Conference in Bulawayo, Mnangagwa sought to downplay divisions within the party.
“The clarity of purpose, unity, and cordial environment which characterised our conference shamed detractors and dispelled alarming levels of misinformation,” he stated, underscoring the party’s commitment to internal discipline and order. “ZANU-PF is a party of rules and order,” he added in a statement aimed at reminding members of their collective responsibility to maintain unity.
In a pointed message to his critics within the party, Mnangagwa emphasised the importance of self-discipline and loyalty.
“As the curtain falls on this historic conference, let us introspect. Each of us must question our loyalty to the party,” he said.
His words resonated as both a call for allegiance and a warning to those who had defied party lines in pursuit of individual gain.
“Individually, we must ask ourselves if we are loyal, honest, consistent, and prepared to persevere with the party,” he added, stressing that any failure in these qualities would be met with disciplinary action.
In a veiled critique of the factionalism that has plagued Zanu PF in recent years, Mnangagwa warned against acts of “indiscipline” that had escalated to criminality.
“Those who perpetrate acts of indiscipline, some extending to criminality, are warned,” he stated. He urged party members to adhere strictly to Zanu PF’s constitution, highlighting unity and respect for the organisation’s values as the “fundamental pillars” of its success.
Mnangagwa’s remarks also underscored the precarious nature of Zanu PF’s internal dynamics.
“Stop-gap measures are never adequate in bringing about defining and requisite political solutions,” he said, urging members to remain committed to the party’s discipline.
His words come at a time when Zanu PF is attempting to project a cohesive front, yet the underlying rifts stemming from the Mnangagwa-Chiwenga rivalry continue to threaten its stability.
With Zanu PF now positioning itself for a future beyond Mnangagwa, the party’s focus has turned to promoting “inclusive development” in line with the national vision of achieving an upper middle-income status by 2030.
However, whether this vision can be realised amidst ongoing factionalism remains to be seen.