By Farai D Hove | ZimEye | The triumphant walking in of Constantino Chiwenga to the loud bang of a Nelson-Chamisa melody “siyanayi naye Chiwenga, tiende mberi!,” at the heroes acre last Monday was more than a message that the country now has a new president.
The Struggle for Power: Mnangagwa, Chiwenga, and Zimbabwe’s Political Crisis
Who Denies That Mnangagwa is Under Virtual House Arrest Inside His Roaming Motorcade?
As speculation intensifies over President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s fate, key figures within Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU-PF, have remained tight-lipped or issued outright denials regarding claims that he is under virtual house arrest inside his motorcade. Pro-government media outlets have dismissed these reports as “opposition propaganda,” while officials close to Mnangagwa insist he remains in full control of both government and party structures.
However, opposition activists and political insiders have suggested otherwise. Reports of an escalating power struggle between Mnangagwa and his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, have been fueled by recent events, including Mnangagwa’s veiled threats and his attempts to reassert dominance over party discourse. The resurfacing of an old video in which Mnangagwa warns against discussing internal party matters in public has been widely interpreted as a prelude to Chiwenga’s potential removal.
How Long Will Mnangagwa Last After Losing Military and Party Power?
The uploaded image presents a striking public perception of Mnangagwa’s diminishing hold on power. The poll results indicate that 61% of respondents believe Mnangagwa will last only three days once power fully shifts to Chiwenga. Another 18% expect him to last three weeks, while 14% predict he might hold out for three months. Only 7% foresee a scenario in which he remains in control for up to three years.
These figures reflect widespread skepticism about Mnangagwa’s ability to withstand a direct challenge from Chiwenga. Historically, Zimbabwe’s power struggles have been decided by military allegiance rather than political maneuvering. If Mnangagwa has indeed lost military backing, his downfall could be swift and irreversible.
The Fallout of Mnangagwa’s Alleged Plans to Fire Chiwenga
Mnangagwa’s rumored plan to dismiss Chiwenga has intensified tensions within ZANU-PF and the security apparatus. Some insiders claim that Mnangagwa has already been sidelined by the military and that his power is now purely symbolic. If this is true, his attempts to remove Chiwenga could backfire catastrophically.
Mnangagwa’s warning that anyone attempting to replace him “must go through the death row” and “take poison first” highlights the high stakes of this political battle. His reliance on historical narratives, including the disputed claim that he was poisoned in 2017, appears to be an effort to consolidate sympathy and support. However, war veterans and other influential factions within the party have begun to question his credibility, particularly regarding his alliance with controversial businessman Maxwell Chikumbutso.
War Veterans Challenge Mnangagwa and Chikumbutso
The war veterans, traditionally seen as kingmakers in Zimbabwean politics, are now openly challenging Mnangagwa and Chikumbutso. Their skepticism over Chikumbutso’s supposed “endless electricity” invention and Mnangagwa’s poisoning claims suggests that they no longer blindly support the president’s narratives.
The veterans have raised several pointed questions:
1. Can Mnangagwa and Chikumbutso provide documented medical evidence of their poisoning claims?
2. Is their “endless electricity” project genuine, or is it merely another political distraction?
3. Why did Mnangagwa appoint convicted armed robber Paradzayi Kutyauripo to a key government position?
4. When did Mnangagwa allegedly stop working for the Rhodesian security services?
These inquiries suggest that Mnangagwa is facing a crisis not only from Chiwenga but also from factions within his own support base. If the war veterans formally withdraw their backing, Mnangagwa’s position could become untenable.
The Unfolding Coup Scenario
While official sources continue to deny Mnangagwa’s weakened position, Zimbabwe’s political landscape is shifting rapidly. Chiwenga, as a former military commander, holds significant influence over the armed forces. If he consolidates military and party power, Mnangagwa’s removal could mirror Robert Mugabe’s ousting in 2017—a swift and controlled operation disguised as a voluntary resignation.
With tensions at a boiling point, the coming days and weeks will determine whether Mnangagwa can reclaim control or whether Zimbabwe is on the verge of yet another leadership shake-up. The public’s overwhelming prediction that he will last only days after losing power suggests that his options are dwindling fast.
Conclusion: Is This the End for Mnangagwa?
Mnangagwa’s fate now hinges on his ability to either outmaneuver Chiwenga or secure last-minute military backing. However, history suggests that Zimbabwean politics is ruthless, and leaders who lose military and party control rarely survive. The overwhelming public sentiment, as reflected in the uploaded poll image, indicates that Zimbabweans believe Mnangagwa’s time is almost up.
As the crisis unfolds, the world watches to see whether Zimbabwe is headed for another coup, a negotiated transition, or an unexpected twist in its long history of political intrigue.- ZimEye