By Munacho Gwamanda-Supporters of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and those of his deputy, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, publicly clashed at the National Heroes Acre on Monday, further exposing the deepening divisions within Zanu PF.
The rival factions disrupted the burial of national hero Tinaye Chigudu, singing antagonistic songs that openly praised their respective leaders.
The incident mirrored a similar confrontation two weeks ago when Chiwenga’s supporters demonstrated their allegiance during the burial of Justin Mupamhanga at the same venue.
On that occasion, Chiwenga was acting president while Mnangagwa was on leave.
This latest clash signals the imminent explosion of factionalism in Zanu PF, largely fueled by Mnangagwa’s controversial push for a third term.
Draped in his signature Zimbabwean flag scarf, Mnangagwa cut a sombre and distant figure at the event.
His forced half-smile barely masked the turbulence within his party.
Even the presence of his wife, Auxillia—clad in an elegant black dress and exuding composure—could not conceal the political storm brewing behind the scenes.
Mnangagwa’s bid to extend his rule beyond 2028 has sparked intense infighting within Zanu PF.
Originally expected to step down after serving two constitutionally mandated terms, the 81-year-old leader has been manoeuvring to stay in power.
His options range from pushing for constitutional amendments to seeking an internal party endorsement that could override the term limit.
But his most formidable opponent is none other than his deputy, Chiwenga—the former army general who masterminded the 2017 coup that ousted longtime ruler Robert Mugabe and paved the way for Mnangagwa’s rise.
Chiwenga, who played a crucial role in securing Mnangagwa’s presidency, is now demanding his turn to lead.
According to party insiders, there was an alleged power-sharing deal in 2017 that would have seen Mnangagwa serve only one term before handing over the reins to Chiwenga.
However, Mnangagwa has shown no intention of honouring this arrangement.
Instead, the President has systematically consolidated power by surrounding himself with loyalists and purging military commanders aligned with Chiwenga.
This has not gone unnoticed within Zimbabwe’s security sector, where allegiances remain fluid and self-serving.
With loyalties in the security forces shifting, whispers of another coup are growing louder.
Military insiders speak of clandestine meetings and an increasingly divided army, with some generals still aligned with Chiwenga.
The former general retains considerable influence within the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, and his supporters believe he has the military backing to challenge Mnangagwa.
The deepening rift between Zimbabwe’s top two leaders is a powder keg waiting to explode.
If Mnangagwa succeeds in pushing for a third term, he risks further alienating the military elite that once propped him up.
On the other hand, if Chiwenga moves too soon, he risks exposing himself to Mnangagwa’s ruthless political machinery, which has already seen the sidelining and forced retirements of key military figures sympathetic to him.