Harare – The relationship between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, once forged in the fires of a coup, has soured into a bitter rivalry over the country’s future leadership, threatening to destabilise the ruling Zanu-PF party.
Chiwenga, who stood firmly by Mnangagwa’s side during his darkest hour, when he was ousted as Vice-President by the late Robert Mugabe in November 2017, feels betrayed by Team Mnangagwa’s apparent determination to block his path to the presidency.
After that, he supported him to consolidate power and become firmly ensconced in office. He also stood by him as he badly battled through disputed elections in 2018 and 2023 to, first, legitimise himself and then remain in power. He also supported his leadership and policies, including Vision2030; no questions asked.
He went on to describe him as Munhumutapa, giving him the historical grand title, glory and influence of ancient 15th century Shona monarchs at Great Zimbabwe and after even if he is not part of that lineage. This led to him declaring his own birthday – 15 September – an annual Munhumutapa Day as he sought imperial power and to memorialise himself, while deeply entrenching himself in power.
He even knelt before him in front of people at the Zanu PF congress in 2022 as a sign of loyalty and respect. It was a public spectacle. Prior to that, he had survived poisoning, but remained loyal.
Chiwenga, who was initially expected to take over the reins in 2023 after Mnangagwa served a single term, now believes that Mnangagwa is reneging on their agreement. “Chiwenga…feels he has been betrayed, and that now enough is enough,” a source close to the Vice-President revealed.
However, Mnangagwa is having none of it: For him anyone but Chiwenga when it comes who succeeds him. Mnangagwa is willing to support anyone except Chiwenga. For Mnangagwa, Chiwenga is a small boy and cannot push him around. That he is what be believes and thinks.
After coming to power in 2017, Mnangagwa slowly but surely started purging his allies – those who put him in power. A classic phenomenon in the aftermath of a coup or a change in power. This is often referred to as the “purge” of loyalists who helped bring the new leader to power. There are several reasons why a leader might remove those who helped them seize power. Fear of betrayal. The leader may worry that those who helped them rise to power could also be the ones to bring them down. Then there is consolidation of power. By removing potential rivals or threats, the coup leader can consolidate their power and eliminate any challenges to their authority. By eliminating those who know how to orchestrate a coup, the leader can also reduce the risk of a future coup or challenge to their rule.
This phenomenon has played out in various historical contexts, including Napoleon Bonaparte’s purge of his loyal generals after rising to power in France after the 1789 French Revolution. The French Revolution took place between 1789 and 1799, leading to the rise of Napoleon. Joseph Stalin’s elimination of his rivals and allies after consolidating power in the Soviet Union. The purges of loyalists was also done by various African leaders, such as Idi Amin in Uganda and Mobutu Sese Seko in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). Mugabe did the same.
In the current Zimbabwean context, this characterises the relationship between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga.
The current succession battle, dubbed the “2030 succession battle,” is characterised by Mnangagwa’s alleged attempts to extend his rule through proxies, campaigning for him to remain in power until 2030. Despite denials, Mnangagwa is seen as actively blocking Chiwenga from succeeding him, despite the Vice-President’s immense sacrifices.
Chiwenga played an immeasurable crucial role in Mnangagwa’s rise to power in 2017. Without the army, Mnangagwa would not have got anywhere near State House. As ZDF commander, he led the military intervention that ultimately forced out Mugabe through a resignation at gunpoint and under a cloud of impeachment, paving way for Mnangagwa’s ascension to the presidency. Chiwenga’s support for Mnangagwa was not only limited to the military intervention. He also publicly defended Mnangagwa within the ruling Zanu PF party over leadership, governance and policy issues. Additionally, Chiwenga has shown significant loyalty and respect.
However, despite Chiwenga’s past support Mnangagwa he is now being blocked from rising to the top. His allies are now being purged yet again. It is ruthless and precarious. Only last week, Zimbabwe National Army commander Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe was removed in the run-up to the March 31 stayaway. As commander of the Presidential Guard, Sanyatwe was critical in the 2017 coup.
However, their partnership has not been one-sided. For his part, Mnangagwa has also done some favours for Chiwenga. For instance, he stood by and defended him to the hilt as Defence minister when Mugabe wanted to remove him as Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) commander before the coup. Mnangagwa also agreed to allow Chiwenga to wield enormous power at the beginning as Vice-President and Defence minister also in charge of war veterans just after the putsch. Of course, at that point Mnangagwa did not have a choice: He did not have the cards as Donald Trump would say referring to Volodymyr Zelensky. Generally, Mnangagwa has kept Chiwenga in his position even when he was on a deathbed, but on a balance the Vice-President has given far more than he got.
The reasons behind this apparent shift in loyalty between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga are various and varied, including the fight for access to resources, but it highlights the complex and often treacherous nature of Zimbabwean politics.
Chiwenga has been a key figure in Zimbabwean politics for many years, serving as ZDF commander and later as the Minister of Defence and War Veterans. His current role as Vice-President has positioned him well as a potential successor to Mnangagwa, but the dynamics between the two frenemies appear to be now becoming increasingly complicated and hostile.
Mugabe warned Chiwenga about this. So what will Chiwenga do? The question now looms: What will Chiwenga do in response to this perceived betrayal, and what impact will this power struggle have on Zimbabwe’s political landscape?
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