By Political Reporter – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has issued a thinly veiled warning to his deputy, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, and his allies warning them against challenging his position.
The message, delivered in a tense Central Committee meeting Wednesday, had a calculated precision and came amidst intensifying speculation that Chiwenga may be positioning himself to challenge Mnangagwa’s continued leadership beyond 2028 during the ongoing Party conference.
Mnangagwa and Chiwenga once united in orchestrating the ouster of long-time ruler Robert Mugabe, are now locked in a bitter power struggle.
According to sources close to the ruling party, Mnangagwa’s initial agreement to step aside for Chiwenga after serving two terms has since evaporated, setting the stage for a fierce internal battle.
The ZANU-PF Bulawayo conference, which started Wednesday, is expected to be a pivotal moment in this conflict, with many anticipating a political bloodbath as rival factions within the party face off.
In what was widely interpreted as a direct swipe at Chiwenga, Mnangagwa used his speech at the Central Committee to stress the importance of loyalty and adherence to party values.
“We have always rejected any practices and conduct that are inconsistent with our laws and regulations as outlined in the party constitution,” he declared, cautioning against “waywardness” in what seemed like a stern rebuke aimed at his deputy’s camp.
Mnangagwa also reminded party members of their duty to uphold the legacy of ZANU-PF’s founding fathers, positioning himself as the guardian of the party’s revolutionary tradition.
“The current crop of senior leaders has a duty to carry on with the rich, deep-rooted tradition of our luminaries,” he emphasized, suggesting that any attempts to destabilize the party would be met with swift and decisive action.
During the meeting, Mnangagwa praised the Central Committee for its management of party affairs and used the opportunity to further assert his control by highlighting the importance of strong, unified party structures.
He called for vigilance against internal divisions, alluding to infiltration and hidden agendas within ZANU-PF’s ranks, a likely reference to Chiwenga’s growing influence within the party.
“We must decisively deal with abuses and not abandon our structures,” Mnangagwa warned, adding that strict adherence to party rules and procedures would be enforced.
He pointed out that the solution to issues within District Coordinating Committees (DCCs) and other structures was not their dissolution but their correction, a clear message that any moves to challenge his authority would be crushed.
The Central Committee meeting, while routine in some aspects, took on added significance as it provided a glimpse into the heightened tensions within ZANU-PF’s top leadership.
Mnangagwa’s insistence on maintaining discipline and loyalty comes at a time when Chiwenga’s faction is rumoured to be mobilizing support ahead of the party’s 21st National People’s Conference in Bulawayo, a gathering expected to be a battleground for control of the party’s future direction.
Mnangagwa’s speech was accompanied by a broader focus on the party’s progress over the past year, including a report on the state of readiness for the Bulawayo conference.
The president stressed the importance of maintaining “genuine and correct party structures” from the grassroots level, pointing to the need for a “sustainable base and solid foundation” as ZANU-PF prepares for internal elections.
The president’s emphasis on order and discipline is seen by many as a prelude to a crackdown on Chiwenga’s supporters, who have grown increasingly vocal in their criticism of Mnangagwa’s leadership style and his refusal to honour the purported succession deal.
As the ZANU-PF conference kicks off , the stakes are higher than ever, with both Mnangagwa and Chiwenga keenly aware that the outcome could determine the future of Zimbabwe’s leadership.
In what may be a sign of the escalating conflict, party insiders are bracing for a showdown in Bulawayo, where the growing rift between the president and his deputy will likely come to a head.
Should the tension boil over, the conference could turn into a political battleground, with factions engaging in a fierce fight for dominance in Zimbabwe’s ruling party.
As Mnangagwa and Chiwenga continue to circle each other in an increasingly fraught contest for power, the question remains: will ZANU-PF survive the internal bloodbath, or will the long-standing unity within the party finally shatter under the weight of their rivalry?
All eyes are now on Bulawayo, where Zimbabwe’s political future hangs in the balance.