The simmering tensions within Zanu PF have boiled over as President Emmerson Mnangagwa now knows of high-ranking officials who are plotting to oust him from power. This revelation comes amidst spirited campaigns by some party structures to push for Mnangagwa rule beyond 2028 despite his promise to retire after his second term.
These documents are related to a case where former Zanu PF youth leader Jim Kunaka is seeking readmission into the party. This exposes a complex web of accusations, counter-accusations and political manoeuvring. Kunaka is a fierce critic of the government who is now seen as a pawn in a larger game and there are allegations that he is a proxy of former Zanu PF commissar Saviour Kasukuwere.
In a letter dated 23 July 2024, the Harare provincial executive described Kunaka’s potential re-admission as a security threat and highlighted concerns about his alleged links to Kasukuwere. The letter was signed by provincial chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa and it outlines the proceedings of a meeting where the re-admission of Kunaka and Terrence Khumbula was discussed. Masimirembwa confirmed the minutes of the meeting and stated that a letter containing provincial reservations on Kunaka’s application for readmission has been sent to the national leadership for a decision.
The letter also reveals that there is serious factionalism within Zanu PF and competing groups are vying for influence and control within the party. This factionalism is further evidenced by the accusations made by Ratidzo Mukarati who is the women’s provincial chairperson. She claims that members of the Harare provincial coordinating committee and some central committee and politburo members are collaborating with Kunaka and Kasukuwere against Mnangagwa.
“Members of the Harare PCC specifically central committee and politburo members and those surrounding the president are working with Kasukuwere with intentions of harming the president and that she knows those people by name,” reads the letter. “Cde Mukarati said we should look beyond Jim Kunaka. She went further to say that she knows the culprits and was prepared to name them.”
While Kasukuwere denies any involvement in a plot against Mnangagwa, he says that President Mnangagwa’s unpopularity, his economic policies and harsh conditions for the growing dissent are all working against him. He further says it is the ordinary Zimbabwean not Jim Kunaka who is pushing back against Mnangagwa and the “Mafidi dynasty”.
The fight for power within Zanu PF is a dangerous game. A history of deadly factional fights in Zimbabwe has ultimately led to Robert Mugabe’s ouster in a 2017 coup.
The succession battle is further complicated by the recent reshuffle within the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). These moves have been seen as a consolidation of power by Mnangagwa. These changes come amid reports of security breaches at properties linked to Mnangagwa and his close relatives, including break-ins and a mysterious fire at his son, David who is also the Deputy Minister of Finance. The incidents also include break-ins at President Mnangagwa’s house under construction in Borrowdale and a break-in at the offices of Tourism Deputy Minister Tongai Mnangagwa.
The succession issue is said to be causing significant tension and mistrust within the ruling party. But Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has attempted to quell these power squabbles by stating that the party’s new leader will be chosen in an open contest and that Zanu PF has clear and laid down procedures that they follow when choosing leaders.
The fight for power within Zanu PF is a dangerous game that has ended in tears for many former Zanu PF senior officials, including former president Robert Mugabe himself.
The succession battle is further complicated by the health of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who has been considered to be Mnangagwa’s most likely successor. However, his health has been a source of speculation and the deaths of his key former military allies such as former foreign affairs minister Sibusiso ‘SB’ Moyo and former air chief marshal Perrance Shiri, have left him politically vulnerable.
“There are now doubts that Chiwenga will be the heir apparent because of his ill health. Chiwenga is exposed as he no longer wields power in military circles,” Nairobi-based Zimbabwean analyst Tinashe Gumbo told another publication recently.
