Zanu PF’s 2030 power struggle turns ugly: Leaked audios, secret meetings and a ruthless purge against team Chiwenga

Harare – A major internal power struggle is engulfing Zanu-PF, with a wave of suspensions and purges targeting officials perceived as resisting the party’s push to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term in office beyond 2028.

While the party officially adopted a resolution at its October Bulawayo conference to extend Mnangagwa’s tenure to 2030, the President himself has publicly stated he will not seek to exceed his constitutionally mandated two terms. This contradiction has created a deep fissure within the party, with accusations of factionalism and a concerted effort to sideline potential rivals to Mnangagwa’s successor.

The “2030 project,” as it’s known within Zanu-PF, has become a battleground for competing factions. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, widely considered a frontrunner in the succession race, is believed to be the target of this purge.

Those suspected of supporting Chiwenga are facing accusations of disloyalty and are being systematically targeted. The situation is particularly volatile in Masvingo province, which is described as “imploding” due to the intense infighting.

In Masvingo, the conflict escalated after Zanu-PF provincial executive member Simon Muchafa publicly attacked retired army general Engelbert Rugeje for his alleged support of Chiwenga. In an audio recording that went viral, Muchafa declared he would not support any presidential candidate not from Masvingo, a thinly veiled attack on Chiwenga.

This statement sparked outrage, leading to the issuing of prohibition orders against over 10 provincial members between Tuesday and Friday of last week. Bikita, Chiredzi, and Masvingo Urban districts have been particularly hard hit.

Among those sanctioned are youth leader Brighton Mushekwa and Kudakwashe Gopo, who were served with prohibition orders following a November 24th meeting in Bikita. At this meeting, Masvingo provincial affairs minister Ezra Chadzamira and John Paradza publicly accused Mushekwa and Gopo of supporting Chiwenga and receiving funds from him to oppose the 2030 project.

They also implicated Gutu East lawmaker Benjamin Ganyiwa and Chiredzi North MP Roy Bhila. Ganyiwa and Paradza justified their opposition to the extension by citing Robert Mugabe’s four-decade rule. Despite repeated attempts, Chadzamira and Paradza remained unavailable for comment. Ganyiwa declined to comment, referring inquiries to Chadzamira. Zanu-PF Masvingo secretary for legal affairs Francis Moyo also refused to comment.

Remarkably, Muchafa, despite his own inflammatory statements against Chiwenga and Rugeje, has faced no disciplinary action. He even led the attack against Mushekwa and Gopo at the Bikita meeting. Mushekwa confirmed receiving the prohibition order, stating, “I have received the letter. We will now be required to appear before a provincial disciplinary committee in 21 days.”

The composition of the disciplinary committee itself is revealing. It includes Mugabe, the deputy national chairperson, Brian Munyoro, and Sengerai Manyanga, but notably excludes Brighton Mahoya and Virginia Samson, who were sidelined due to alleged links to the Chiwenga faction. Zanu-PF insiders suggest Mahoya and Samson are also facing dismissal.

In Chiredzi, Israel Lunga, Levy Gumbo, and Felix Bangu are among those already removed. Similar actions have occurred in Masvingo Urban, with several members verbally suspended for insufficient support of the 2030 project.

Isaac Makomichi, the former Masvingo provincial commissar, was suspended on December 1st after releasing an audio recording critical of the 2030 initiative. “They also said they think that I don’t support the idea that the President should continue beyond 2028,” Makomichi stated.

He explained his opposition, highlighting the President’s own statements about retirement in 2028 and questioning the origins and benefits of the 2030 slogan. “You should not suspend someone for asking,” he added.

The purge extends beyond Masvingo. In Harare, Emmanuel Juta received a prohibition order and faces a disciplinary hearing on December 11th. Ten individuals have been suspended in Harare, several of whom have rejected the disciplinary process.

Godfrey Gomwe, for example, wrote an open letter to provincial leader Godwills Masimirembwa, refusing to participate in the hearing. Further suspensions are anticipated in Mashonaland East, targeting provincial minister Aplonia Munzverengi, Uzumba MP Wiriranai Muchemwa, and others associated with the “Hwedza project,” a presumed rival faction.

The intensity of the campaign is underscored by the fact that provincial executives were actively campaigning for the 2030 project just three weeks prior. Zanu-PF director for information Farai Marapira claimed ignorance of the prohibition orders when contacted for comment.

Adding another layer to this complex situation, war veterans have voiced their anger at Muchafa’s tribal remarks, releasing audio recordings supporting Chiwenga and criticising Muchafa’s political acumen.