HARARE — In a dramatic escalation of ZANU-PF’s simmering succession battle, heavily armed operatives reportedly raided the offices of Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe late last night, carting away computers, laptops and key documents, according to senior party sources.
Multiple insiders told this publication that the raid unfolded under cover of darkness at the ministry’s Harare headquarters, just days before the ruling party’s crucial annual conference. Security personnel sealed off the building while unidentified agents conducted a thorough search lasting several hours.
Repeated attempts to obtain an official comment from the Ministry of Home Affairs were unsuccessful, and police spokespeople declined to confirm or deny the incident.
Kazembe, widely viewed as a close political ally—and even a de facto protégé—of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has long been a lightning rod for factional intrigue. Analysts say the raid underscores the widening rift between Mnangagwa’s camp and that of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, whose supporters have been quietly marshalling influence ahead of the party gathering.
“The timing is no coincidence,” said a senior ZANU-PF official aligned with Mnangagwa, speaking on condition of anonymity. “This is about intimidating the President’s inner circle and sending a message that no one is untouchable.”
Political observers note that the Mnangagwa-Chiwenga rivalry—fuelled by competing ambitions for the 2028 presidential ticket—has sharpened in recent months, with each side accusing the other of clandestine manoeuvres to secure control of key security ministries and provincial structures.
While the full implications of the raid remain unclear, the move is likely to heighten tension within ZANU-PF as delegates prepare to meet. Party insiders warn that without a rapid de-escalation, the incident could further destabilise Zimbabwe’s already fragile political landscape.
