Political Reporter Zanu PFis is holding an emergency Politburo meeting to discuss the delegates attending its upcoming conference in Bulawayo next month.

Last week, the party deployed senior members to oversee a cell and village verification program across the country’s ten provinces.

This move is seen as part of the preparations for the conference, which is set to shape the future of the party’s leadership.

Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa announced yesterday, “The Secretary General of Zanu PF, Obert Mpofu, wishes to advise all members that there will be a Politburo meeting on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 12 noon at Zanu PF headquarters. All members should be seated by 11:45 a.m.”

Preparations for the national conference are reportedly at an advanced stage, with a reduced number of delegates expected this year. Zanu PF National Chairman, Oppah Muchinguri, noted that the gathering would focus on evaluating the implementation of key policies.

However, this meeting is widely seen as a strategic move by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to weaken Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s support base ahead of the critical conference.

The traditionally large-scale event is expected to confirm the party’s candidate to succeed Mnangagwa in the 2028 elections.

As Mnangagwa’s deputy, Chiwenga has positioned himself as a contender for the top job.

But Mnangagwa, facing constitutional term limits, is reportedly manoeuvring to extend his tenure beyond the two-term limit, rallying loyalists to block Chiwenga’s ascent.