MAJOR POLITICAL SHIFT AS MNANGAGWA’S ALLIES FACE SURPRISING DEFEAT
In a big political change in Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu PF, two key allies of President Emmerson Mnangagwa were surprisingly defeated. This happened during the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association elective congress held in Gweru yesterday. Christopher Mutsvangwa and Victor Matemadanda, who were close allies of Mnangagwa, lost in the election. This result has caused a major shift in the party’s power balance, as the two men were important figures.
Mutsvangwa was first elected as the leader of the war veterans in 2013 during a congress held in Masvingo. However, this time he faced a huge defeat. Cephas Ncube from Bulawayo province defeated him in the recent congress. The congress took place at the Zanu PF Convention Centre in Gweru, Midlands province. The result showed that the war veterans were ready for change.
War veterans are a strong political group within Zanu PF, but they have had problems holding their elective congress in the past. They even missed holding one in 2018. So, when they finally held this congress, the results were shocking, especially because the defeat happened in Mnangagwa’s stronghold.
Ncube got 294 votes, while Mutsvangwa only managed to get 11 votes. This shows how unpopular Mutsvangwa has become among the war veterans. Ncube is now the new leader of the war veterans. Matemadanda, who was also a close ally of Mnangagwa, did not do much better. He came third with only 75 votes. Albert Ncube from Matabeleland North came second with 90 votes. Shorai Nyamangondo was elected vice chairperson without any opposition.
The new executive of the war veterans also includes other members such as Joel Murerengwa (Secretary-General), Thomas Manyima (Legal Affairs), Vincent Chinone (Transport), Section Ncube (Finance), Sanik Nguni (Security), Cde Nyembesi Togara (Women Affairs), and Samuel Parirenyatwa (Political Commissar). It is interesting to see that there are now three people with the surname Ncube in the new executive.
The three Ncubes are connected to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, which shows a big change in the party. Mutsvangwa and Matemadanda were close to Mnangagwa, but they have been pushed aside due to conflicts within the party.
When Mnangagwa took power in 2017, Mutsvangwa played an important role as his adviser. In Mnangagwa’s second administration, Mutsvangwa became the Minister of War Veterans. But his fortunes changed over time. In 2018, he was removed from his role as adviser. Then in February this year, he was fired from his position as the Minister of War Veterans.
Matemadanda, who is currently Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Mozambique, has also faced some setbacks. He was the outgoing Secretary-General of the war veterans and had previously been Zanu PF’s political commissar. His defeat in the recent congress adds to the losses for Mnangagwa’s side.
This defeat is important because Zanu PF’s annual conference is coming up on October 22 in Bulawayo. The result of the war veterans’ election has given Chiwenga more power within the party, especially among the war veterans, who are a key part of Zanu PF’s support base.
Mnangagwa and Chiwenga are currently fighting for control of Zanu PF’s future leadership. They are both trying to take over the power structures of the state. This congress result now gives Chiwenga more control, especially among the war veterans.
There are rumors that Mnangagwa is planning to stay in power beyond the constitutional second term limit, which ends in 2028. Although Mnangagwa has denied these rumors, there is speculation that he wants to stay in power until 2030. Chiwenga and his group are strongly against Mnangagwa’s plan to extend his rule beyond 2028, and this has created tension in the party.
Since Mnangagwa came to power after Robert Mugabe left, Zimbabwe has not seen much improvement. Many people had hoped for change, but Mnangagwa has largely continued Mugabe’s policies. This has left many people disappointed, as the fresh start they wanted has not yet come.
