By James Gwati-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has moved swiftly to consolidate his grip on Zanu PF by orchestrating internal party elections to replace key allies of his deputy, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, in what insiders say is part of a broader purge of dissenting voices against his 2030 agenda.

The ruling party recently held primary elections in the Gutu East constituency to select new candidates for the parliamentary and council seats previously held by figures closely aligned to Chiwenga.

Former Gutu East legislator Benjamin Ganyiwa and ex-Ward 10 Councillor Jainos Mudonhi were expelled for reportedly resisting Mnangagwa’s push to remain in power until 2030, a campaign internally dubbed “ED2030.”

Ganyiwa and Mudonhi’s removal is widely viewed as part of a strategic clean-up operation targeting individuals perceived to be sympathetic to Chiwenga’s growing influence within the party.

The primary elections attracted six contenders for the Gutu East parliamentary ticket: Zvarevashe Masvingise, Christopher Mashuro, Maone Vheremu, Norbert Chikumbo, Nicolas Chiname, and Phinias Chagonda.

For the Ward 10 council seat, three candidates battled it out in a closely watched local contest.

Voting took place across 26 district centres, drawing significant attention from both party faithful and political observers amid swirling factional tensions.

The winners of these primaries will represent Zanu PF in the upcoming by-elections, whose dates are yet to be officially announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

The move to replace Chiwenga-aligned officials comes at a time when internal power struggles are threatening to fracture the ruling party, with speculation mounting over Mnangagwa’s succession plan and Chiwenga’s ambitions to take over the presidency.