Constitutional crisis hits Zanu-PF over ED 2030: Machakaire’s unlawful reshuffle backfires as Paradza’s fight back shakes the party!

Harare – A major power struggle is brewing within the Zanu-PF Youth League, pitting the national secretary for youth affairs, Tinoda Machakaire, against his deputy, John Paradza.

The conflict erupted following Machakaire’s unilateral reshuffle of the national executive council on December 9th, 2024, a move swiftly condemned by Secretary-General Obert Mpofu as unconstitutional and divisive.

The reshuffle, implemented without prior consultation, immediately sparked controversy. Paradza, in a direct challenge to Machakaire’s authority, advised affected officials to disregard the directive, urging them to remain in their positions pending guidance from the party’s Secretary-General. This bold move escalated the tension between the two leading figures within the youth league.

Machakaire responded swiftly, writing to Paradza on December 10th, demanding the immediate withdrawal of his counter-directive and threatening disciplinary action for non-compliance. This escalation highlighted the deep divisions within the youth league’s leadership. The situation quickly spiralled, demanding intervention from the highest levels of the party.

On December 11th, Obert Mpofu intervened, issuing a strongly worded letter to Machakaire, unequivocally stating that any reshuffle of the Zanu-PF Youth League national executive council requires prior ratification by the Politburo. Mpofu’s intervention served as a direct rebuke of Machakaire’s actions, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

In his letter, Mpofu detailed the constitutional irregularities of Machakaire’s actions. He wrote: “RESHUFFLE OF THE YOUTH LEAGUE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. Reference is made to the above issue and your letter addressed to the Secretary-General dated the 10th of December 2024 seeking recourse on behalf of the Youth League National Executive Council over the reshuffle of the Youth League National Executive Council.

“In your subsequent letter addressed to the Secretary for Youth Affairs dated the 10th of December 2024, you have sought to reverse the decision of your superior. This is not permissible as no deputy of any secretary in any organ of the Party can exercise overriding authority over the actions/decisions of the secretary whom he/she deputises.

“The ZANU PF 2022 Constitution does not allow such insubordinate conduct. Article 3 Section 19(2) of the ZANU PF 2022 NU PF Constitution requires you to observe, respect and abide by the Constitution, policies, rules and regulations of the Party. The Secretary for Youth Affairs is directly appointed by the First Secretary and President and is thus required to have sought guidance and approval for the restructuring from the same office.

“My office will stand guided by the position given to the Secretary for Youth Affairs by the appointing authority. Accordingly, be advised that this matter will be referred to Party leadership for deliberation and guidance.”

Mpofu’s letter further criticised Machakaire’s actions for undermining democratic principles and collective leadership within the party. He pointed out that the reshuffle lacked proper consultation and ratification, contravening Article 26, Section 330(2) and (3) of the 2022 party constitution. He emphasised the importance of adhering to constitutional procedures and respecting democratic norms.

“The restructuring exercise appears to have been implemented without consulting the national assembly of the youth league or the youth executive council or securing ratification from the politburo or central committee, as required by article 26 section 330(2) and (3) of the 2022 party constitution,” Mpofu’s letter stated.

“The secretary’s supervisory powers under section 88 must be exercised within the confines of constitutional principles, which prioritise democracy and collective leadership. Without explicit authority to remove or restructure elected positions, the directive risks being ultra vires (beyond the powers granted), the restructuring perceived unilateral and undemocratic, may create division within the youth league and erode confidence in leadership decisions.”

The underlying tension between Machakaire and Paradza, sources within the Zanu-PF youth league reveal, stems from deeper factional divisions within the ruling party. These divisions are reportedly linked to ongoing debates surrounding President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s potential term extension beyond 2028.

While President Mnangagwa has publicly denied any interest in extending his term, behind-the-scenes maneuvering by supporters of a 2030 agenda, primarily from Masvingo and Midlands provinces, has exacerbated internal divisions.

Paradza is reportedly at the forefront of this “2030 agenda,” with allegations suggesting he is actively mobilising youth support for this initiative. Machakaire, in turn, justified his reshuffle as an attempt to align the youth league with the resolutions of this year’s national conference, which aimed to consolidate support for the 2030 agenda.

This interpretation, however, has been met with resistance, particularly from provincial chairpersons in the Matabeleland region, who sided with Paradza in rejecting Machakaire’s reshuffle.

The conflict between Machakaire and Paradza is not simply a clash of personalities; it reflects deeper power struggles and competing factions within Zanu-PF, highlighting the ongoing tensions within the ruling party as it navigates succession debates and internal political maneuvering.