ZANU PF CRISIS: CHIWENGA FACTION TARGETS MNANGAGWA ALLIES

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s military-backed faction in Zanu PF is going after President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s allies. These allies have been pushing hard for the “ED2030” campaign, which aims to extend Mnangagwa’s rule beyond his second term. This second term is supposed to end in 2028, as stated in the constitution. Chiwenga’s faction is accusing them of breaking party and national rules to push their agenda.

At the recent Zanu PF annual conference in Bulawayo, the party decided Mnangagwa should stay in power until 2030. However, they said this idea would only move forward if Mnangagwa agreed. Mnangagwa has often said he follows the constitution, and he does not seem to support the idea of extending his rule.

Patrick Chinamasa, the Zanu PF secretary for legal affairs, said this plan is very hard to make happen. It would require two referenda to change the constitution, which is not easy to do. This has made Mnangagwa’s allies, who are pushing for the plan, vulnerable to attacks, suspensions, and expulsions from Chiwenga’s group.

Goodwills Masimirembwa, the Zanu PF chairperson for Harare Province, has already been suspended. He was one of the loudest voices pushing for Mnangagwa’s third term. On the night before the Zanu PF conference in Bulawayo, Masimirembwa’s business offices were petrol-bombed. This violent act was a clear warning of the political fights happening inside Zanu PF.

Masimirembwa had been trying hard to change the constitution to allow Mnangagwa to rule beyond 2028. Even though Mnangagwa says he does not want to stay in power beyond his term limit, his allies believe he should. This disagreement has further divided Zanu PF, which was already split into different groups. Chiwenga’s faction strongly opposes the plan to keep Mnangagwa in office beyond his term.

Mnangagwa’s key allies, who are pushing for the “ED2030” campaign, include Lovemore Matuke, John Paradza, Tinoda Machakaire, Owen “Mudha” Ncube, and Masimirembwa. Many other top officials are also supporting the campaign. These include Vice President Kembo Mohadi, party chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, government ministers, and top bureaucrats.

However, Chiwenga’s faction is not happy with this plan. Key members of Chiwenga’s group, such as Obert Mpofu, the Zanu PF secretary for administration, and other former ministers who helped Mnangagwa rise to power, are against extending his rule. These leaders believe the constitution should not be changed to suit one person.

The fight inside Zanu PF shows how divided the party has become over the issue of Mnangagwa’s future. Chiwenga’s faction, with its military support, is using suspensions and other measures to weaken Mnangagwa’s supporters. Many believe this is only the beginning of a bigger political battle in the party.

For now, it is clear that the fight over Mnangagwa’s succession is far from over. Suspensions like Masimirembwa’s show that Chiwenga’s group is determined to stop any attempt to extend Mnangagwa’s rule. More suspensions are expected as the fight continues.

The “ED2030” campaign has created more problems for Zanu PF, a party already struggling with internal divisions. Mnangagwa’s allies are pushing for change, but Chiwenga and his supporters are standing in their way. The future of Zanu PF remains uncertain as this battle plays out.