ZANU PF POWER STRUGGLE: A FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE

The fight for power inside Zanu PF is heating up. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and his military-backed group are targeting allies of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. These allies have been pushing hard for Mnangagwa to stay in power until 2030, even though the constitution says he must leave after his second term in 2028.

At the recent Zanu PF annual conference in Bulawayo, a resolution was made to ask Mnangagwa to extend his rule. However, Mnangagwa has always said he respects the constitution. The Zanu PF secretary for legal affairs, Patrick Chinamasa, said this idea is impossible without two referenda. Changing the constitution to allow Mnangagwa to stay in power would be very difficult.

This fight is exposing Mnangagwa’s allies to punishment. Suspensions and expulsions are now happening. Goodwills Masimirembwa, the Zanu PF Harare provincial chairperson, has already been suspended. More suspensions are expected to follow.

Things have become tense. Just before the conference in Bulawayo, Masimirembwa’s business offices were petrol-bombed. This act of violence came during a time when the party was deeply divided over Mnangagwa’s possible third term. Masimirembwa was one of the loudest voices calling for a change to the constitution so Mnangagwa could stay in power.

Even though Mnangagwa denies wanting to stay beyond his term, his allies keep saying he must continue. They believe he is the only one who can lead the country beyond 2028. But Chiwenga and his supporters strongly oppose this idea. This disagreement is making the party even more divided.

Some of Mnangagwa’s closest allies who are pushing for the 2030 campaign include Lovemore Matuke, John Paradza, Tinoda Machakaire, Owen “Mudha” Ncube, and Masimirembwa. Top officials in the party, like Vice President Kembo Mohadi and chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, as well as some government ministers, are also supporting the campaign.

On the other side, Chiwenga’s group is growing stronger. This group includes Obert Mpofu, the Zanu PF secretary for administration, and other key party members. Many of them had supported Mnangagwa when he rose to power but are now against his third-term bid. They believe it is wrong for him to stay in power beyond what the constitution allows.

The fight over Mnangagwa’s future is creating a storm in Zanu PF. The divisions are growing deeper, and the party is losing unity. The push for a constitutional change has made many people angry. For some, it is a betrayal of the promises made when Mnangagwa came to power in 2017.

The next few months will be critical. If Mnangagwa’s allies keep pushing for his extended rule, more conflicts will arise. Chiwenga and his supporters are ready to fight back. This could lead to more suspensions, more expulsions, and possibly even more violence.

For now, the future of Zanu PF is uncertain. Mnangagwa’s decision will play a big role in what happens next. Will he agree to stay beyond 2028, or will he follow the constitution and step down? The answer will shape the future of Zimbabwe’s ruling party and the country as a whole.

The power struggle shows how fragile Zanu PF has become. Once a strong and united party, it is now torn apart by factions fighting for control. This fight is not just about Mnangagwa. It is about the future of the party and the country. Whatever happens next, it will be a defining moment for Zimbabwe.