MAJOR POLITICAL SHIFTS IN ZANU PF: NCUBE DEFEATS MNANGAGWA ALLIES
A big change in the political scene of Zimbabwe took place yesterday during the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association elective congress in Gweru. Two of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s key allies, Christopher Mutsvangwa and Victor Matemadanda, were heavily defeated in the elections. This marks a major shift in the balance of power in Zanu PF, a political party that has held influence in Zimbabwe for a long time.
Christopher Mutsvangwa, who had been the leader of the war veterans since 2013, lost badly. Cephas Ncube from Bulawayo province won by a huge number of votes, showing how much Mutsvangwa has fallen out of favor. The elections took place at the Zanu PF Convention Centre in Gweru, which is considered Mnangagwa’s political stronghold. This made the defeat even more surprising and dramatic.
Ncube won with 294 votes, while Mutsvangwa came in last place with only 11 votes. This was a clear sign that Mutsvangwa, once a powerful figure, had lost his popularity among war veterans, who play a crucial role in Zanu PF politics. The new leader of the war veterans is Cephas Ncube, taking over the top position from Mutsvangwa.
Victor Matemadanda, another close ally of Mnangagwa, also did not perform well in the elections. Matemadanda came third with 75 votes, far behind the other candidates. Albert Ncube, who came second, received 90 votes. Shorai Nyamangondo was elected vice chairperson without any competition.
Other newly elected members include Joel Murerengwa as Secretary-General, Thomas Manyima in Legal Affairs, Vincent Chinone for Transport, Section Ncube for Finance, Sanik Nguni in Security, Cde Nyembesi Togara in Women Affairs, and Samuel Parirenyatwa as the Political Commissar. Interestingly, there are now three people with the surname Ncube in the new war veterans’ executive, a rare situation in such an important political group.
The Ncubes are believed to be aligned with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is another key figure in Zanu PF. In contrast, Mutsvangwa and Matemadanda have been strong supporters of President Mnangagwa, although they have been pushed aside in recent times due to disagreements within the party.
When Mnangagwa came into power in 2017, Mutsvangwa was a close adviser to him. In Mnangagwa’s second administration, Mutsvangwa became the Minister of War Veterans. However, things changed when Mutsvangwa was fired as an adviser in 2018 and later removed from his position as minister in February of this year.
Matemadanda, who is the outgoing war veterans’ Secretary-General, is currently serving as Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Mozambique. In the past, he also held the position of Zanu PF political commissar, a key role in the party’s political machinery. However, like Mutsvangwa, he too has seen his influence in the party diminish.
The defeat of Mutsvangwa and Matemadanda is significant because it takes place just before Zanu PF’s annual conference, which will be held on October 22 in Bulawayo. The result of the congress has shifted the balance of power within the party, moving in favor of Chiwenga and his faction. Chiwenga is locked in a fierce power struggle with Mnangagwa over who will lead Zanu PF and the country in the future.
Mnangagwa and Chiwenga have been at odds over the leadership of Zanu PF. Mnangagwa is currently serving his second term as president, but there are rumors that he wants to extend his rule beyond 2028, which would go against Zimbabwe’s constitutional two-term limit. Mnangagwa has publicly denied these rumors, but Chiwenga and his faction are strongly opposed to Mnangagwa staying in power beyond 2028.
Despite Mnangagwa’s promises of change after taking over from former president Robert Mugabe, not much has improved in Zimbabwe under his leadership. Many feel that Mnangagwa has provided more of the same, rather than bringing about the much-needed break from the past that Zimbabweans had hoped for. The defeat of his key allies is a sign that his grip on power is weakening, and the future of Zanu PF leadership remains uncertain.
The media loves to speculate about divisions, but this transition in the War Veterans Association is a sign of a healthy party structure. President Mnangagwa is still in firm control, and the upcoming conference will affirm the unity of Zanu PF and its commitment to the country’s development.
The elections in the War Veterans Association demonstrate the vibrancy and internal democracy within Zanu PF. While some leaders may have lost their positions, the party is moving forward, making space for new voices. This shows our strength in embracing change without losing focus on national unity.President Mnangagwa’s leadership has allowed the party to function smoothly, even when internal elections bring new faces to the forefront. Unlike the opposition, Zanu PF remains a strong and united force with clear leadership and a vision for Zimbabwe’s future. This is just another example of democratic progress within the party.
The article is trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. Elections in any association are bound to have winners and losers. This doesn’t signify a power struggle or weakening of President Mnangagwa’s leadership. These are normal processes, and it’s misleading to portray this as a crisis within Zanu PF.The media always exaggerates internal party matters. President Mnangagwa remains the leader of both the party and the country. Shifting dynamics within the War Veterans Association should not be confused with the main party’s stability. These are routine changes, not a loss of power.
It’s clear that there is an agenda to create division in Zanu PF where none exists. The election results are simply a reflection of the will of the war veterans, and there is no evidence of a deep factional rift. This focus on alleged tensions between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga is just a distraction.
Critics keep talking about power struggles in Zanu PF, but they fail to see that this shows the strength of democracy within the party. Leaders come and go, but the party remains united under President Mnangagwa’s leadership. This talk of shifting power is just a tactic to create confusion ahead of the annual conference.