ZANU PF has called back-to-back meetings of its top decision-making organs, the Politburo and the Central Committee, in Harare this week, in what party insiders describe as frantic manoeuvres to manage growing internal strife and prepare for the annual people’s conference set for Mutare later this year.
In a statement issued on Monday, the party’s Secretary-General, Dr Obert Mpofu, directed that the Politburo will sit on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, at the party headquarters in Harare, starting at midday. The Central Committee is expected to follow a day later, on Thursday, 18 September, beginning at 10:00 am. Members have been instructed to be seated by 11:45 am and 9:45 am respectively.
Although the official notice did not disclose the agenda, senior ZANU PF officials who spoke off the record said the meetings will likely zero in on the party’s deepening factional struggles. President Emmerson Mnangagwa is said to be facing rising disquiet from groups aligned to his deputy, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, as succession politics once again overshadows the party’s attempts at projecting unity.
The timing of the urgent gatherings has sparked speculation that Mnangagwa is moving swiftly to tighten his grip on the party machinery before the Mutare conference, where both policy direction and questions of leadership legitimacy are expected to dominate discussions.
For months, whispers of renewed tensions between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga have circulated, with insiders pointing to sharp divisions over succession. Chiwenga, who played a decisive role in the 2017 military intervention that ousted the late former President Robert Mugabe, retains significant influence within the security establishment and among certain structures of the party.
Mnangagwa, now in his second full term, faces the delicate task of managing these internal pressures while simultaneously fending off questions about his political future. Constitutional term limits mean his presidency is expected to end in 2028, but the run-up to that point has already become a hotbed of speculation about possible amendments or manoeuvres to extend his stay.
ZANU PF Rushes Into Urgent Politburo and Central Committee Meetings Ahead of Mutare Conference
“This is about control,” a senior party insider said. “The President wants to make sure the Mutare conference does not become a platform for dissent. These meetings are meant to remind everyone where authority lies.”
ZANU PF’s annual conferences have long been more than just ceremonial gatherings. They have often served as critical moments in the party’s power struggles. In the twilight of Mugabe’s rule, such conferences were used to orchestrate purges and showcase shifting alliances. Mnangagwa himself was both a beneficiary and a survivor of those political battles.
In 2017, the same dynamics culminated in Mugabe’s dramatic ouster, with Mnangagwa emerging at the helm through a combination of military intervention and political manoeuvring. Now, as the Mutare conference approaches, echoes of that turbulent period appear to be resurfacing.
“History is repeating itself,” noted political analyst Dr Nhamo Moyo. “Mnangagwa is finding himself in a position where he has to manage fissures that could eventually undermine him, just as Mugabe failed to contain similar pressures in his final years.”
Observers believe the hurried scheduling of the Politburo and Central Committee could also provide Mnangagwa with an opportunity to discipline perceived dissenters, issue strong directives, and rally loyalty from key figures.
“There is likely going to be talk about unity, loyalty, and discipline,” another analyst, Blessing Chidza, said. “But beneath the speeches, the reality is that the leadership wants to isolate those seen as drifting towards the Chiwenga camp.”
Party loyalists argue the meetings are routine and necessary to ensure smooth preparations for Mutare. However, the urgency with which they were called suggests a more pressing political calculus.
With the Mutare conference looming, many expect the internal contestations within ZANU PF to sharpen. The conference is traditionally a platform for the party to set the tone for the coming year, but this time it could become a stage for factional posturing and succession jockeying.
Speculation about Mnangagwa’s succession continues to mount, with Chiwenga widely viewed as the most formidable contender should the President exit the stage. Other ambitious figures are also said to be quietly positioning themselves, making the stakes even higher.
As one insider summed it up: “What happens this week in Harare may not resolve the succession question, but it will certainly shape the mood going into Mutare. If Mnangagwa shows weakness, it could embolden his rivals. If he shows strength, he may buy himself some breathing space.”
The next few days are therefore set to be critical, not just for ZANU PF’s internal cohesion, but for the broader trajectory of Zimbabwe’s political landscape.
Source- ZimEye
