By Munacho Gwamanda- Police in Beitbridge have arrested two men who were intercepted with a firearm on Monday as they attempted to gain access to a function where President Emmerson Mnangagwa was officiating at a groundbreaking ceremony.
The arrests occurred at a security checkpoint just a few hundred meters from the venue, where Mnangagwa, alongside his deputies Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, was leading a high-profile event attended by approximately 1,000 people.
“We are investigating such a case. Our Criminal Investigation Department is holding some men in connection with that offence, and that is all I can say for now,” Beitbridge Police District commander Chief Superintendent Mesuli Ncube confirmed.
The incident has heightened concerns over Mnangagwa’s security, especially in the wake of increasing tensions within ZANU-PF and reports of military activity in the capital.
Last week, Harare residents witnessed the unusual sight of army tanks rolling through the city’s streets, sparking speculation about internal power struggles within the ruling party and potential threats to Mnangagwa’s hold on power.
The presence of military hardware in Harare immediately drew comparisons to the events leading up to the November 2017 coup that toppled former President Robert Mugabe.
While the government has said the tanks were on routine drills, sources within the security sector, suggest it may have been a show of force amid growing discord within ZANU-PF.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, a former army general, has been at the centre of speculation regarding internal factionalism, with some political analysts suggesting he still enjoys strong backing from elements within the military. The sighting of tanks has only fueled suspicions that Mnangagwa’s grip on power is increasingly being challenged from within.
Adding to the turmoil, war veteran and Zanu PF central Committee member Blessed Geza recently launched a scathing attack on Mnangagwa, accusing him of being a “failed leader who has lost control of both the economy and the state apparatus.”
Geza’s criticism and outburst shared widely on social media, has intensified the ongoing debate about Mnangagwa’s leadership amid economic hardships, corruption allegations, and growing discontent within his party.
Factional battles have long plagued ZANU-PF, and with the 2028 elections on the horizon, tensions appear to be reaching a boiling point.
Chiwenga, who played a key role in ousting Mugabe, is believed to be positioning himself for a possible leadership takeover. Mnangagwa is reportedly consolidating his power through purges and strategic appointments within the party and the security forces.