VP Chiwenga Caught On Camera With A Totally Non-ED “Red Scarf”
By A Correspondent | ZimEye | The choice of attire by Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and his wife Minnie Baloyi during their recent visit to India has sparked significant speculation and debate. Notably absent was the Zimbabwean flag-colored scarf, a signature symbol often associated with the country’s current president, Emmerson Mnangagwa. Instead, Chiwenga adorned a conspicuously red scarf—a stark visual departure with profound symbolic undertones.
So conspicuous is the red scarf on the two’s shoulders, that none of their Indian hosts have any such on their bodies.
In Zimbabwe, red is often associated with blood, danger, and sacrifice. Its use in this context could suggest a deliberate message, especially considering Chiwenga’s role in the 2017 coup that ousted Robert Mugabe and installed Mnangagwa as president. Many of the military figures who aided Chiwenga in executing the coup have since died under suspicious circumstances, fueling rumors of political purges within Zimbabwe’s corridors of power. Against this backdrop, Chiwenga’s red scarf might be interpreted as a subtle cry for help or a forewarning of his own peril, particularly given the high stakes and treacherous dynamics of Zimbabwe’s political landscape.
The imagery becomes even more loaded when considering the setting in which Chiwenga wore this attire. In one photograph, he is seen speaking near the ritually preserved remains of an Indian legend, a sacred and deeply symbolic act in itself. Such a setting adds an aura of gravitas and mystery to his choice of dress. Was the red scarf a silent acknowledgment of danger, a plea for protection, or perhaps an expression of solidarity with the bloodshed and sacrifices that have defined his political journey?
The late President Robert Mugabe warned his family saying they should avoid this sort of ritual on his remains, his nephew Leo, told reporters 5 years ago. This is the same corpse power ritual that the late ZAOGA church leader Ezekiel Guti practiced.
Furthermore, the red scarf’s absence among the Indian hosts raises questions about its specific significance to Chiwenga and his delegation. Could it symbolize a break from Mnangagwa’s leadership, a subtle declaration of independence, or even a veiled protest? In a political culture where symbols carry immense weight, this sartorial choice cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence.
Chiwenga’s precarious health, often discussed in Zimbabwean media, also lends credence to interpretations of the red scarf as a harbinger of his own mortality. The deaths of his allies and his rumored frailty create an atmosphere of looming tragedy, with the red scarf serving as a chilling visual metaphor. Chiwenga’s red scarf during this high-profile visit seems to carry layers of meaning that extend far beyond fashion. It is a bold and potentially calculated statement—one that could be interpreted as a warning, a lament, or a declaration of defiance in the face of both political and personal adversities.
The political rivalry between Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy, Chiwenga, has evolved into a dangerous power struggle, one that increasingly threatens national stability. At the heart of this escalating tension lies a tangled web of personal ambition, political paranoia, and a shadowy security apparatus allegedly cultivated by Mnangagwa’s wife, Auxillia. Her emergence as a central figure with unprecedented power has added another volatile element to the already fraught relationship between the two men.
Auxillia Mnangagwa’s Shadow Power
Auxillia Mnangagwa’s role in this conflict cannot be overstated. Since 2021, she has played an active role in assembling a clandestine network of loyalists, including armed robbers, soldiers, and state security operatives. This network serves as a counterforce to Chiwenga’s military base, signaling a strategic move by Mnangagwa to consolidate power and neutralize potential threats from his deputy. The First Lady’s apparent ability to deploy military resources for personal and political gain underscores her unique influence within Zimbabwe’s power structure.
A particularly alarming instance of this came in her use of over 80 soldiers and riot police to impose her convicted armed robber brother, Paradzai Kutyauripo, as Chief Negomo in 2021. Despite her public denials, video footage and eyewitness accounts paint a starkly different picture—one where Auxillia personally oversaw the operation, complete with an intimidating military motorcade. The forced takeover of Chief Negomo’s kingdom not only violated Zimbabwean law but also demonstrated Auxillia’s willingness to bypass legal and traditional norms to achieve her objectives.
Kutyauripo’s criminal history, which includes a very long stint in Chikurubi Maximum Prison for armed robbery, raises serious questions about national security. As Director of State House Residences, a position granted by Mnangagwa, Kutyauripo now holds significant sway over Zimbabwe’s most sensitive government properties. This dual role amplifies fears that state institutions are being repurposed to serve private and criminal interests, further eroding public trust.
The Red Scarf and Chiwenga’s Warning
Amidst this backdrop, Chiwenga’s recent appearance in India wearing a conspicuously red scarf—absent of Mnangagwa’s trademark Zimbabwean flag-colored accessory—takes on heightened significance. In Zimbabwean symbolism, red is a color of blood, sacrifice, and danger. Given the spate of suspicious deaths among Chiwenga’s military allies who orchestrated the 2017 coup, the red scarf could be interpreted as a silent yet ominous warning: Chiwenga perceives himself as a target, standing on the precipice of political and physical peril.
Chiwenga’s symbolic act, coupled with his visit to the mummified remains of an Indian legend, adds a ritualistic and almost prophetic dimension to his narrative. It is as if the Vice President, increasingly isolated and encircled, is signaling to the world that the endgame in Zimbabwe’s power struggle is nearing a critical and potentially violent climax.
Mnangagwa’s Strategy: Building a Shadow Army
President Mnangagwa’s alleged efforts to build a parallel power base composed of armed robbers and other unsavory figures reveal his strategy to counter Chiwenga’s military influence. This dangerous move not only reflects the depths of distrust between the two leaders but also highlights the lengths to which Mnangagwa is willing to go to secure his hold on power. The implications for Zimbabwe’s security and governance are dire. As state institutions are weaponized for personal battles, the rule of law is undermined, and ordinary citizens bear the brunt of the fallout.
The creation of such a shadow army also raises existential questions for Zimbabwe’s democracy. If individuals with criminal backgrounds can rise to positions of authority through political patronage, what does this mean for the integrity of the state? The appointment of Kutyauripo as Chief Negomo and Director of State Residences exemplifies how loyalty to Mnangagwa’s regime trumps merit, legality, and ethical considerations.
A Looming Showdown
As Mnangagwa fortifies his position and Auxillia deepens her involvement in security and political affairs, Chiwenga finds himself increasingly cornered. The Vice President’s health struggles, coupled with the loss of his closest allies, compound his vulnerability. The red scarf he wore in India could be his way of crying out against an impending assassination or political sidelining, a fate that has befallen many before him in Zimbabwe’s treacherous political landscape.
This showdown is no longer just about two men vying for power—it is a battle for the soul of Zimbabwe, with Auxillia Mnangagwa emerging as a wildcard whose ambitions and actions could tip the scales. As the lines blur between the personal and the political, the stakes for Zimbabwe’s future have never been higher.
The struggle between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga is emblematic of a deeper rot within Zimbabwe’s political system—a culture of betrayal, violence, and unchecked ambition. Auxillia’s unprecedented role in this conflict adds a layer of complexity that challenges traditional notions of power and governance. Meanwhile, Chiwenga’s red scarf and public gestures serve as a chilling reminder of the human cost of this power struggle. In a nation where symbols speak louder than words, the message is clear: the battle is far from over, and the consequences will reverberate far beyond the individuals at its center.- ZimEye