By Munacho Gwamanda-Fears of an imminent coup are growing in Zimbabwe as uniformed soldiers have been spotted in various growth points and rural areas, raising concerns of a military intervention reminiscent of the 2017 coup that led to the ouster of former President Robert Mugabe.
Reports indicate that soldiers were seen this afternoon at Nyika growth point, while earlier in the day, more than 20 military tanks were spotted in Harare’s Borrowdale area.
The sight of such a heavy military presence has fueled speculation about a possible coup, especially amid deepening divisions within the ruling ZANU-PF 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 military tanks were deployed to strategic locations, including Parliament and police stations, to disarm police officers who had become Mugabe’s de facto paramilitary force.
Back then, the coup was orchestrated by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) under the leadership of then-General Constantino Chiwenga, who had 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 Emmerson 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 is part of routine drills.
“Support your Zimbabwe Defence Forces, ZDF, as it goes through the routine of ensuring all its battle systems are in tip-top state!!! #ZDF, KEEPING YOU SECURE AND DEFENDED,” Charamba posted.
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, a viral video featuring an unnamed prophet predicting a bloody military takeover has intensified speculation. The prophet warns:
“The Lord has spoken, and I must pray for Zimbabwe. I saw another coup—one that will bring chaos and bloodshed. This will not be like before; this time, there will be much suffering, and many lives will be lost. I saw the current government being overthrown, and in its place, violence and turmoil will arise. The Bible commands us to pray for those in authority, and now more than ever, Zimbabwe needs our prayers.”
This prophecy suggests that a secret deal regarding leadership succession has collapsed, escalating the power struggle within ZANU-PF to a critical point.
The warnings from religious leaders align with increasing political tensions, particularly following recent remarks by war veteran and ZANU-PF Central Committee member Blessing Geza.
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 further fueled speculation that a military faction loyal to Vice President Chiwenga may be preparing to take action against Mnangagwa.
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 manoeuvres, 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.”
Adding to the uncertainty, another prominent prophet, Ian Ndlovu, has issued a stark warning about a looming coup:
“We must continue to pray for our nation… Two trains are set to collide. I personally pray for peace for all ordinary Zimbabweans, but change must not be stopped, in whatever form it needs to come.”
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.