By Munacho Gwamanda-President Emmerson Mnangagwa Monday at the National Heroes Acre appeared in a rare, sad and troubled carved face with deep lines of contemplation.

Draped in his trademark Zimbabwean flag scarf, Mnangagwa looked distant, almost defeated.

His forced half-smile failed to mask the turbulence within despite the presence of his wife, Auxillia, standing by his side.

Clad in an elegant black dress, Auxillia’s presence exuded composure, but the growing political storm within Zanu PF was undeniable.

Mnangagwa’s bid to extend his rule beyond 2028 has sparked intense factional battles within the ruling party.

Originally scheduled to step down after his constitutionally mandated two terms, the 81-year-old leader has manoeuvred to cling to power, floating proposals for constitutional amendments or internal party endorsements to override the term limits.

His most formidable adversary, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga—the very man who orchestrated Robert Mugabe’s ouster in 2017 to pave Mnangagwa’s rise.

Chiwenga, the former army general, intends to take over in 2028, citing a power-sharing agreement that allegedly existed when he backed Mnangagwa’s coup against Mugabe.

However, the President has shown no signs of honouring that deal.

Instead, he consolidated power within his loyalists, sidelining and eliminating military commanders aligned with Chiwenga.

This has ignited whispers of another coup brewing within Zimbabwe’s security sector, where loyalties remain fluid and driven by personal interests.

The tension is palpable. Party insiders speak of clandestine meetings and a divided military, with some generals still loyal to Chiwenga.