By Political Reporter-Zanu PF National Chairperson, Opah Muchinguri, has announced the downsizing of the party’s annual conference, now scheduled for October 22 to 27 in Bulawayo.

This decision is widely seen as a strategic move by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to weaken Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s support base ahead of the crucial event.

The conference, traditionally a large-scale gathering, is expected to confirm the party’s candidate to succeed Mnangagwa in 2028.

As Mnangagwa’s deputy, Chiwenga is eyeing the top position, positioning himself as a potential successor.

However, Mnangagwa, who faces constitutional term limits, is reportedly keen on extending his rule beyond the two-term mandate and is rallying his loyalists to block Chiwenga’s rise.

In her statement on Sunday, Muchinguri outlined the changes: “In preparation for this conference, the National Coordinating Committee, which I chair, has made critical decisions aimed at ensuring an impactful and efficient conference. One of the key measures we have taken is to reduce the number of delegates attending this year, drawing lessons from best practices we observed in other progressive nations like China. This year’s conference will not follow the traditional format where every member of the party attends. We have opted to limit participation to Politburo members, Central Committee members, National Consultative Assembly members, and senior provincial and district executives. This will ensure that the discussions and resolutions are rich in content, driven by critical thinking and rigorous debate, thus creating meaningful outcomes that will influence the course of our national policies.”

Many view this move as an attempt by Mnangagwa to consolidate power and isolate Chiwenga, reducing the chances of his deputy leveraging a larger support base to challenge for leadership.