By Political Reporter-Tensions within the ruling Zanu PF party reached a boiling point today at State House Harare, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa appeared to be under intense scrutiny from his deputy, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
The high-level meeting convened to bring together Provincial Ministers and heads of government departments, took place against the backdrop of a growing power struggle between the two leaders over succession.
While the meeting was officially framed as a routine government briefing, images from the event suggest a different story.
A widely circulated photograph captures a seemingly tense moment between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga, with the latter engaging the president in an intense exchange.
Meanwhile, two figures in the background, who appear to be closely aligned with Chiwenga, are seen observing the interaction with calculated seriousness.
The image has fueled speculation that Chiwenga’s camp is ramping up pressure on Mnangagwa as the battle for control of Zanu PF intensifies.
The president’s decision to continue holding government meetings despite being officially on leave has also raised eyebrows.
Analysts believe Mnangagwa is attempting to project authority and maintain a grip on the government machinery at a time when Chiwenga is making strategic inroads within the party’s power structures.
Traditionally, when a Zimbabwean president goes on leave, the vice president assumes control.
However, Mnangagwa’s persistent presence at key state functions suggests he is wary of leaving Chiwenga with too much space to maneuver.
The internal battle between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga, which has been simmering since the 2017 coup that ousted Robert Mugabe, has intensified in recent months.
Chiwenga, a former army general who played a crucial role in installing Mnangagwa in power, is now believed to be positioning himself as the natural successor.
His faction within Zanu PF has been consolidating support, particularly among military-aligned party officials and war veterans who feel sidelined by Mnangagwa’s leadership.
The divisions within Zanu PF are expected to widen as the country inches closer to the 2028 general elections.
While Mnangagwa has not publicly declared whether he will seek another term, his recent maneuvers suggest he is not willing to bow out without a fight.
Chiwenga, on the other hand, is reportedly mobilizing support within the security sector and key government institutions, making it increasingly difficult for Mnangagwa to exercise unilateral control over the party and the state.
Today’s meeting at State House may have been a standard government gathering on the surface, but the underlying dynamics reveal a much deeper crisis within Zanu PF.