
By Munacho Gwamanda-The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has announced the death of Major General (Retired) Solomon Siziba, raising further speculation about the spate of deaths among senior military officials linked to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
Major General Siziba passed away early this morning at KG6 Hospital in Harare after a protracted battle with cancer.
He was 67.
In a statement, ZNA Deputy Director of Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Tichafa Mungofa, expressed condolences: “It is with a heavy heart that the Zimbabwe National Army announces the passing on of Major General (Retired) Solomon Siziba this morning at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks Camp Hospital in Harare.”
Mourners are gathered at 572 Bulawayo Drive, Killarney, Bulawayo, and funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
Major General Siziba’s death adds to the growing list of high-ranking military officials who have died under unclear or contentious circumstances since President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rise to power through a military coup in 2017.
The coup, which ousted long-serving leader Robert Mugabe, was spearheaded by then-General Chiwenga.
The death toll of Chiwenga’s allies has stoked speculation about a shadowy campaign of political elimination.
Among the most notable were Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo, Agriculture Minister Perence Shiri, and over ten other senior military figures loyal to Chiwenga.
Tensions between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga have escalated as the President pushes for constitutional amendments to extend his tenure beyond the 2028 term limit.
Insiders claim this defies a 2017 post-coup agreement, under which Mnangagwa would serve two terms before handing over power to Chiwenga.
“Mnangagwa’s refusal to honor this agreement has alienated Chiwenga’s faction,” a senior Zanu PF official revealed. “The systematic sidelining of Chiwenga’s military allies is part of a broader strategy to consolidate Mnangagwa’s hold on power.”
Zanu PF insiders warn that Mnangagwa’s maneuvers could destabilize the fragile political balance.
The Vice President’s faction, comprising disillusioned military elites and marginalized party stalwarts, is reportedly weighing its options, with some analysts cautioning that another coup cannot be ruled out.
“Cornered, President Mnangagwa now needs formal parliamentary approval and military neutrality to remain in power beyond 2030,” political analyst Mutodi noted. “Chiwenga’s camp may see this as an opportunity to challenge his legitimacy.”
With Zanu PF’s history of internal power struggles often spilling into national crises, Mnangagwa’s determination to prolong his rule could plunge Zimbabwe into yet another chapter of uncertainty.
Military interventions, factional purges, and deepening instability loom as plausible outcomes of the escalating conflict.
Vice President Chiwenga was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.