A faction within Zimbabwe’s Zanu PF party, aligned with President Mnangagwa, allegedly attempted to remove Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. The plot was thwarted by infighting amidst the party’s power struggles ahead of the 2028 elections. Chiwenga, seen as a threat to Mnangagwa’s leadership, may be targeted for sidelining, with calls for his replacement growing. Political analysts view these developments as indicators of deeper divisions within the party.
In Zimbabwe, a faction within the ruling Zanu PF party, aligned with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, reportedly sought to oust Vice President Constantino Chiwenga during a central committee meeting. This attempted removal was thwarted due to intense party infighting and highlights the surging tensions as various factions vie for power in anticipation of the 2028 elections.
Chiwenga, a former army general instrumental in the 2017 military coup that placed Mnangagwa in power, has reportedly become a target for those intent on consolidating their political influence. His aspirations for the presidency have generated unease among party leaders, especially after Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi indicated plans for Mnangagwa’s extended leadership until 2030.
Some factions within Zanu PF view Chiwenga as a potential rival to Mnangagwa’s authority. Allegations arise that efforts to diminish his role are being strategically enacted through government appointments and internal party maneuvers, with calls increasingly voiced for his replacement by Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a noted benefactor of the ruling party.
Sources have indicated that “plans are already underway to co-opt Tagwirei into the centre of power,” with a meeting planned to discuss the leadership transition. Nonetheless, resistance is strong from Chiwenga’s supporters in both the security sector and the party itself.
The report also suggests that a recent reorganization of government ministries, which appointed Chiwenga as Minister of Health while retaining his vice presidency, may be an effort to undermine his influence. Political analysts argue that these events expose deeper fractures within Zanu PF as the future leadership remains uncertain.
A political commentator, speaking anonymously, noted, “This battle is far from over. Chiwenga still commands significant support within the military, and any attempt to remove him will not be easy.” Meanwhile, opposition parties are leveraging these developments, asserting that they reflect a leadership preoccupied with internal conflicts rather than Zimbabwe’s urgent economic needs. The escalating infighting within Zanu PF may have critical implications for national stability as the March 31st protests approach.
Attempts to obtain comments from Chiwenga’s office and senior Zanu PF officials about these allegations were unreturned at the time of publication.
The revelations regarding factional struggles within Zanu PF underscore the deep divisions and growing tensions ahead of the critical 2028 elections. The reported attempts to sideline Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, coupled with strategic appointments intended to weaken his influence, signal significant discord within the ruling party. As political rivals prepare for upcoming protests, the implications of this internal conflict extend well beyond Zanu PF, potentially impact national stability in Zimbabwe.
Original Source: www.thezimbabwemail.com
