28 January 2025
COMMENT | Farai D Hove | ZimEye | Kana Paine munhu azvipedza ega, ndiMnangagwa- if there’s anyone who has finished himself, it is Mnangagwa: The political dynamics in Zimbabwe’s capital city have reached a boiling point just 24 hours after an extraordinary display of public support for Vice President Constantino Chiwenga at the National Heroes Acre. The monumental gathering chanted a reimagined version of Nelson Chamisa’s popular campaign song, replacing Chamisa’s name with Chiwenga’s: “Siyanai naye Chiwenga, tiende mberi” (“Leave Chiwenga alone so that we can make progress”).
As Chiwenga entered the shrine in a display of unparalleled grandeur, reminiscent of a standing head of state, the crowd’s message was clear: leave Chiwenga alone. This chant, and the sheer size and emotion of the gathering, signaled a seismic shift in Zimbabwe’s power dynamics, casting long shadows over President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s position as the nation’s leader.
Anyone wishing to understand what has happened to Mnangagwa in the last 24 hours does not need an expert to diagnose. Everything is out there, and the last time a crowd (a very small one of less than 60 people) shouted similar chants against him, the voices were powerful enough to trap Mnangagwa inside a tiny hotel room and he had to telephone TV whistleblower Shepherd Yuda begging for permission to go over and drink beer with his supporters. Permission was denied. The LIVE video was broadcast by ZimEye during the Glasgow COP26 Climate Change Conference.
No bullet or military force is needed anymore and what MPs particularly ZANU PF legislators need to do is to lodge an updated complaint over Sengezo Tshabangu who the world’s oldest United Nations of all parliaments, IPU’s Human Rights Committee, has declared an imposter, to whistleblow that his boss is the-fake-1975-entrant-Emmerson Mnangagwa. This document once read out even as a mere complaint, is enough a broadcast to retire Mnangagwa officially, quietly.
De Facto Power Shift
While Mnangagwa remains the ceremonial president, the balance of real power has tilted toward Chiwenga. His growing influence is not merely a result of ambition but a culmination of fear and frustration brewing across the political spectrum. Chiwenga’s presence and his control over the military apparatus are sending ripples through Zimbabwean politics, reinforcing his position as the de facto center of authority.
Insiders and analysts alike point to a pattern: Chiwenga’s tenure as acting Commander-in-Chief during Mnangagwa’s temporary absence from common-man-realities has cemented his image as the true wielder of power. The public perception is that he embodies stability and strength, qualities many see as lacking in Mnangagwa’s leadership.
” How come the crowd seems to be made up of members of the armed forces only?,” asks Ed Shava.
Fear as a Unifying Force
The shift is underpinned by a broader fear strategy that has inadvertently united factions previously divided by ideological and personal differences. A general analysis is that that this unity is born out of a shared existential threat, as political actors feel expendable in the current environment. This dynamic is no longer just about loyalty or opposition; it is survival, and Chiwenga has become a symbol of resistance and strength in the face of growing instability.
The government’s crackdowns and tactics, which were initially intended to isolate and intimidate dissenters, have ironically led to an unintentional coalition of the fearful. Rivals who previously viewed one another as threats are now finding common ground, galvanized by their shared distrust of the Mnangagwa administration.
The National Heroes Acre ceremony was as much a political theater as it was a commemoration. Chiwenga’s majestic entry, coupled with the crowd’s emotional endorsement, effectively served as a coronation. The moment was symbolic: it communicated to all observers, both domestic and international, that Chiwenga is no longer merely a vice president but a political force to be reckoned with.
Observers have noted that the messaging from the crowd was strikingly intentional. By adapting a song associated with Chamisa, the opposition leader, the gathering signaled a strategic alignment. This wasn’t just about supporting Chiwenga; it was a repudiation of Mnangagwa and the status quo.
What This Means for Zimbabwe’s Future
The implications of this shift are profound. If the political establishment continues to perceive Chiwenga as the unifying force around whom both opposition and dissenters rally, Mnangagwa’s position could be further undermined. The ceremonial nature of his presidency may soon become untenable, paving the way for a full-blown political reconfiguration.
This unfolding situation also raises critical questions about Zimbabwe’s future governance. If Chiwenga assumes more power, will his leadership bring the progress that the crowds at Heroes Acre chanted for, or will it solidify military dominance over civilian politics?
For now, the narrative remains clear: fear has united the fragmented political landscape, and Chiwenga stands at its center. The next moves by both Chiwenga and Mnangagwa will define not only their political legacies but also the trajectory of Zimbabwe as it navigates this volatile chapter in its history.
The streets of the capital city are abuzz, and the signs of change are unmistakable. Zimbabwe’s political elite and ordinary citizens alike are bracing for the next act in this high-stakes power struggle. Whatever happens next, it is clear that Constantino Chiwenga has emerged as a central figure whose influence will shape the nation’s future.-ZimEye
Hiding in a hotel room, Emmerson Mnangagwa cows behind a camera hours after less than 60 protesters chanted him down in Glasgow 2021.