President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday used a ZANU PF Politburo meeting to deliver a firm warning against factionalism and indiscipline, in what insiders described as a “riot act” addressed to his top lieutenants.
Without naming any individuals, Mnangagwa cautioned senior party officials against using the ZANU PF name to advance personal interests, making it clear that divisive behaviour would no longer be tolerated. His remarks come amid renewed tension within the ruling party, fueled by the unresolved question of succession.
Observers note that the rebuke follows weeks of contradictory statements by senior party figures, which publicly exposed the depth of internal divisions. Party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa, for instance, recently dismissed suggestions that businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei — a close Mnangagwa ally and newly co-opted Central Committee member — could “buy his way” to the party’s top structures. He insisted that the party had safeguards to prevent such maneuvers.
Yet, in a rare public divergence, Secretary for Legal Affairs Patrick Chinamasa contradicted Mutsvangwa on social media, posting on X (formerly Twitter) that resisting Tagwirei’s rise was futile. The conflicting statements highlighted the persistent fault lines within the party’s senior leadership.
Chairing the 386th Ordinary Session of the Politburo at the party’s Harare headquarters, Mnangagwa stressed the need for unity.
“We must all speak with one voice and march in one direction,” he said. “Leaders of the party are bound by collective responsibility and must unite around party decisions and resolutions, which serve as our ideological and moral compass. Hauroti zvinhu kumba kwako woenda uchitaura sehurongwa hwemusangano. Our communication must be disciplined. MuZANU PF tinomira pachokwadi. Zvemazvake-mazvake, pasi nazvo.”
Mnangagwa Issues Stern Warning on Factionalism Amid Succession Tensions in ZANU PF
While the President avoided mentioning names, some analysts believe his remarks were also aimed at Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who was notably absent from the meeting. Officially reported to be on “business in India,” Chiwenga’s trip was not covered by state media, sparking speculation that internal manoeuvres were at play.
For years, ZANU PF has been divided between Mnangagwa’s camp and Chiwenga’s military-aligned faction. Chiwenga, widely seen as Mnangagwa’s natural successor due to his decisive role in the 2017 coup that ousted Robert Mugabe, continues to wield significant influence within the army and grassroots party structures.
Chiwenga’s absence from the Politburo added weight to speculation that Mnangagwa’s message was intended as a subtle, if pointed, warning to his deputy and his supporters. Analysts argue that the President’s intervention underscores the delicate balance of power within the ruling party as the succession battle intensifies.
Observers note that Mnangagwa has a history of using Politburo and Central Committee meetings to consolidate authority. Over the years, he has turned these sessions into platforms for projecting power, reprimanding rivals, and steering narratives around the party’s succession.
Recently, Mnangagwa has elevated allies such as Tagwirei, signaling his intent to shape the future leadership of ZANU PF. This has heightened fears among Chiwenga’s camp of being sidelined from key party structures and decision-making processes.
“The Politburo message was a clear reminder that discipline is non-negotiable,” said a senior party analyst. “It also serves as a subtle message to those who may be entertaining ambitions outside Mnangagwa’s camp.”
The latest warning illustrates the fragility of unity within ZANU PF. While Mnangagwa has projected a strong front, the contrasting public statements from senior officials and the conspicuous absence of Chiwenga demonstrate that fissures within the party remain pronounced.
The stakes are high as ZANU PF navigates the delicate succession question. Analysts argue that Mnangagwa’s intervention signals a more confrontational phase in the internal struggle, where messaging, loyalty, and party discipline are being tightly policed.
Whether the President’s warning will restore cohesion or deepen factional divides remains uncertain. Some insiders believe that the rebuke may temporarily suppress open dissent, while others predict that rival factions may continue to manoeuvre behind the scenes, intensifying tensions in the lead-up to the next party conference.
What is clear is that Mnangagwa’s latest Politburo address demonstrates his determination to stamp out factionalism and assert control over the succession narrative. By sending a strong signal to all party leaders, the President has reinforced his message that ZANU PF will not tolerate actions that undermine collective responsibility, even as the battle for the party’s future leadership unfolds.
Source- ZimEye
