A simmering power struggle within Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party has erupted into public view, exposing deep-seated factionalism over the contentious issue of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s succession. A rare and open disagreement between two of the party’s most senior officials—Spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa and Legal Secretary Patrick Chinamasa—has laid bare the intense infighting surrounding the proposed elevation of controversial tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei into the party’s powerful Central Committee.
The public spat began when Chinamasa, a party heavyweight and former Finance Minister, took to state-controlled media and social media to declare that Tagwirei and four others had been co-opted into the Central Committee, stating it was a “done deal.” This move was widely seen as a power play by a faction loyal to President Mnangagwa, aimed at consolidating its influence within the party’s principal policy-making body.
However, in a sharp and public rebuke, party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa dismissed Chinamasa’s pronouncements. When pressed for the official party position, Mutsvangwa distanced himself and the party leadership from the claims, pointedly suggesting that Chinamasa was expressing a personal opinion. “I am Zanu-PF spokesperson,” Mutsvangwa stated. “I will surely not speak for Chinamasa. My import is to speak for the party and its president.” This public contradiction from the party’s official mouthpiece effectively nullified Chinamasa’s announcement and signaled a major rift at the highest levels.
The Man at the Center of the Storm
At the heart of this political firestorm is Kudakwashe “Kuda” Tagwirei, one of Zimbabwe’s wealthiest and most influential businessmen. With vast interests in fuel, mining, and agriculture, Tagwirei’s immense financial power makes him a formidable figure. His proposed entry into formal politics is seen as a strategic move by the Mnangagwa camp. However, his rise is fiercely opposed by a rival faction reportedly led by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who has long been considered Mnangagwa’s likely successor.
Notably, it was Chiwenga who previously blocked an attempt by the Harare province to co-opt Tagwirei into the Central Committee, citing procedural violations. The opposition to Tagwirei’s inclusion stems from fears within the Chiwenga camp that he is being positioned either as a potential successor himself or as a powerful political player who would secure President Mnangagwa’s interests long after he leaves office.
A Battle for the Future of Zanu-PF
This public clash is more than a simple misunderstanding; it is a manifestation of the succession war that is defining the current era of Zanu-PF politics. The two primary factions are:
- The Mnangagwa Faction: This group appears keen to either extend President Mnangagwa’s rule beyond his constitutional two-term limit in 2028—a push often referred to as the “2030 agenda”—or to install a hand-picked successor who would protect his legacy and interests. Placing a powerful and wealthy ally like Tagwirei in the Central Committee would be a significant step toward achieving this goal.
- The Chiwenga Faction: Believed to be anchored by elements from the military, this camp is operating on the assumption that Chiwenga, who led the 2017 military coup that brought Mnangagwa to power, is the designated heir. They view the promotion of figures like Tagwirei as a direct threat to Chiwenga’s ambitions and a betrayal of the arrangement that structured the post-Mugabe era.
The open disagreement between Mutsvangwa and Chinamasa serves as a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that is threatening to destabilize the ruling party. As the clock ticks towards 2028, the battle for control over the party’s structures and, ultimately, the country’s leadership, is set to intensify, with this public fallout signaling that the succession war is now fully underway.