A power struggle is brewing within Zanu-PF’s youth league, pitting the national secretary for youth affairs, Tinoda Machakaire, against his deputy, John Paradza. The conflict erupted following a controversial reshuffle of the league’s leadership announced on Monday, December 9th, 2024.
This reshuffle, which saw the removal of several elected national youth executive council members, has exposed deep divisions within the ruling party, linked to the ongoing debate surrounding President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s potential extended term beyond 2028.
He stated: “These changes are intended to enhance the fulfilment of the Zanu PF youth league’s constitutional obligations and meticulous execution of the national people’s conference resolutions.”
The reshuffle appointed new leaders to various portfolios, including Tsungai Makumbe (secretary for finance), Phinias Makombe (commissariat), Philippa Mukoko (external relations), Munashe Mtutsa (information), Valeria Makonza (legal affairs), and Garikai Zonde (science and technology).
However, Paradza vehemently opposed the reshuffle, alleging a lack of consultation and procedural irregularities.
In a letter to Machakaire, he stated: “My office has received several complaints from the affected national executive members who were reshuffled from their positions without proper procedures being adhered to. I refer to article 25 section 339 of the party constitution, which clearly articulates the roles of the secretary for youth affairs.”
He further instructed the affected executive members to ignore the reshuffle, stating: “I have since written to the affected comrades guiding them to remain in their positions and continue with their responsibilities as mandated by the national youth conference of May 2022 until a clear instruction is issued by the secretary-general. That having been said, the purported reshuffle is hereby put on hold until further notice.”
Paradza also contacted Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu, seeking intervention in the matter.
Machakaire responded swiftly and forcefully, accusing Paradza of overstepping his authority and demanding a retraction of his letter or facing disciplinary action.
In his correspondence to Paradza, Machakaire stated: “In your letter, you have made vague reference to the composition of the youth league national executive council without particularity on the provision you rely on to make your assertions. You will note that there has been no deviation whatsoever from the clear provisions of the constitution as no member of the youth league national council has been affected by the removal from the national executive council. As head of the youth league, I have communicated the adjustments as I have been duly guided by my principal in terms of article 10(88)(1)(2) and (13) and article 26(339) (1) and (4).”
Adding to the escalating tensions, the Matabeleland provincial chairpersons – Freedom Murechu (Bulawayo), Moses Langa (Matabeleland South), and Lundy Sinzeka (Matabeleland North) – issued a joint letter expressing their discontent with the reshuffle. Their letter, copied to several senior party members, highlighted concerns about the reshuffle’s impact on regional representation and the removal of Garikai Zonde, who was previously stationed at the headquarters.
They stated: “The Matabeleland region provinces wish to highlight the issues that have been overlooked in that process, but have far-reaching implications in the whole body politic of the youth league and that of the party in general… Firstly, the reshuffle has left the whole Matabeleland region without a full-time person at the headquarters since Cde Zonde was stationed there before being affected by the process… Secondly, it has also altered the regional balance of power by removing the Matabeleland region entirely from the administration of the youth league… In the same spirit of leaving no one and no place behind, we feel excluded in the decision-making process, which will demoralise our youth structures.”
They also noted that the reshuffle disregarded the ranking agreed upon during provincial youth league conferences.
Underlying these events are deeper factional struggles within Zanu-PF, reportedly linked to the debate surrounding President Mnangagwa’s potential third term. Sources suggest that Machakaire’s actions are aimed at counteracting Paradza’s influence, which is allegedly linked to efforts to promote Mnangagwa’s continued leadership beyond 2028. The reshuffle has reportedly also affected executive members who received party vehicles from Mnangagwa, who are now being asked to return them.
The Mashonaland West Provincial Coordinating Committee recently held a meeting endorsing the “ED 2030” slogan, highlighting the ongoing divisions within the party. However, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi sought to downplay these divisions, asserting the party’s unity and loyalty to President Mnangagwa.
