By Political Reporter-President Mnangagwa has delegated Zanu PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri to preside over disciplinary hearings targeting party members accused of victimizing those opposing his controversial 2030 agenda.
These purges, particularly in Masvingo province, are part of a broader strategy by Mnangagwa’s camp to consolidate power amid dissent within the party.
Several Zanu PF members, including Ward 12 Councillor Brighton Mushekwa, have faced disciplinary action for allegedly supporting Chiwenga’s faction and resisting Mnangagwa’s extended tenure ambitions.
This has sparked outrage among party supporters, who disrupted a meeting in Masvingo’s Bikita area, demanding the reinstatement of their councillor and refusing to accept fertilizer distributions from non-elected officials.
The internal dynamics within Zanu PF stem from the November 2017 coup that toppled long-time ruler Robert Mugabe.
Mnangagwa’s ascent to power was facilitated by Chiwenga and the military, under the understanding that Mnangagwa would serve two terms before handing over power.
However, Mnangagwa’s recent moves, including his implicit push for a post-2028 presidency—despite constitutional limits—have unsettled this delicate arrangement.
The resulting rift has seen both factions vying for dominance, with Mnangagwa’s loyalists purging perceived Chiwenga allies at grassroots levels.
The Masvingo disruptions underscore the party’s growing internal instability, exacerbated by the absence of bothChiwenga and second vice president Kembo Mohadi from a critical politburo meeting.
Chiwenga’s trip to India for undisclosed reasons and Mohadi’s unclear whereabouts have fueled speculation about strategic withdrawals in protest against Mnangagwa’s maneuvers.
Sources reveal that Provincial Affairs Minister Ezra Chadzamira and other Mnangagwa allies have accused Mushekwa of receiving financial backing from Chiwenga to turn party supporters against Mnangagwa.
Leaked audio recordings of Simon Muchafa, a provincial executive member, criticizing Chiwenga and retired army general Engelbert Rugeje, have further inflamed tensions.
The fallout has exposed the party’s fragile grassroots support, with supporters openly defying Mnangagwa’s camp in favour of their local representatives.
The forced cancellation of a recent Masvingo meeting after police intervention highlighted the severity of the divisions.
By assigning Muchinguri to mediate, Mnangagwa appears to be deflecting blame for the purges, positioning himself as a neutral party while tightening his grip on power.
However, this move risks alienating key factions and escalating tensions ahead of the Zanu PF elective congress, where the battle lines between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga are expected to crystallize further.
ZimEye/Standard