By Munacho Gwanda – Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was in Mutare on Wednesday when military tanks were seen in Harare.

Chiwenga was attending the funeral of Sekuru Leonard “Mwatambandini” Kashiri, the father-in-law of Zanu PF National Chairman and Minister of Defence, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri.

Rumours circulated that Chiwenga could have been responsible for deploying more than 20 army tanks onto the streets of Harare to intimidate President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the two battled for control of Zanu PF.

More than 20 military tanks were spotted in Harare’s Borrowdale area, fueling speculation about a possible coup, especially amid deepening divisions within the ruling party.

The sudden and unusual movement of military hardware mirrors events leading up to the 2017 coup when soldiers were first seen patrolling streets before tanks were deployed to strategic locations, including Parliament and police stations, to disarm the police force, which had become Mugabe’s de facto paramilitary wing.

Back then, the coup was orchestrated by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) under the leadership of then-General Constantino Chiwenga, with the backing of key military figures such as the late Air Marshal Perrence Shiri and retired General Sibusiso Moyo.

The military’s intervention was triggered by Mugabe’s decision to fire Mnangagwa as Vice President, a move widely seen as paving the way for his wife, Grace Mugabe, to take power. 

This alienated war veterans and the military, prompting their intervention.

Mugabe was placed under house arrest, and within days, he was forced to resign, ushering in Mnangagwa as the new president.

Despite growing unease, government officials have dismissed concerns of a coup. 

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, posting under his pseudonym dhonzamusoro007 on social media, stated that the movement of military tanks in Harare was part of routine drills.

However, these assurances have done little to quell fears, especially in light of reports by ZimEye suggesting that a coup may be in the making.

Adding to the anxiety, recent remarks by war veteran and Zanu PF Central Committee member Blessing Geza have intensified speculation. 

Geza, a former liberation war fighter with deep military connections, has publicly declared that war veterans will take drastic steps to remove Mnangagwa. 

His ultimatum has fueled speculation that a military faction loyal to Chiwenga may be preparing to take action against the president.

Reports suggest that senior military officials and war veterans have held secret meetings to strategize ways to block Mnangagwa’s bid to extend his rule beyond his current term under the controversial #ED2030 agenda.

Sources indicate that the rift between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga has reached a breaking point, with Chiwenga’s faction believing that Mnangagwa has reneged on a 2017 coup agreement that allegedly promised Chiwenga the presidency after Mnangagwa’s first term.

Unlike Mugabe in 2017, Mnangagwa has spent years consolidating his grip on power. 

He has appointed loyalists to key military positions, purged officials perceived as Chiwenga allies, and neutralized potential rivals within Zanu PF.

Many key figures from the 2017 coup, including Perrence Shiri and Paradzai Zimondi, have died under suspicious circumstances, fueling speculation that Mnangagwa orchestrated their eliminations to weaken Chiwenga’s support base.

Despite these maneuvers, Chiwenga remains influential within the security forces, and reports suggest that a faction of the military and war veterans still see him as Zimbabwe’s rightful leader.

A recent high-level meeting reportedly took place in Mashonaland Central, a province known for political upheavals and strong opposition to Mnangagwa.

Sources close to the discussions claim that many within the military are disillusioned with Mnangagwa’s leadership and are actively plotting against him.

One insider revealed: “You hear what credible war veterans like Blessing Geza are saying. He is not hallucinating; he is communicating a message from the script, and you must listen to him carefully.”

While Mnangagwa has fortified his control over intelligence and security agencies, Zimbabwe’s political landscape remains unpredictable. 

If discontent within the military reaches a breaking point, even a well-entrenched president can be overthrown.

With tensions between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga escalating and war veterans openly voicing their grievances, Zimbabwe may be on the verge of yet another military-led political upheaval.

Whether the growing military presence is indeed a precursor to a coup or simply routine drills, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the nation’s trajectory.

Sekuru Kashiri passed away last Friday at the age of 103. 

Chiwenga attended the funeral with several high-ranking Zanu PF officials, including Deputy President of the Senate, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Mike Nyambuya, as well as Ministers Misheck Mugadza, Mariam Chombo, and Supa Mandiwanzira.