ZANU PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has called on the faction supporting Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to defer any political ambitions until the party’s elective congress in 2027. The appeal comes amid escalating factional tensions ahead of next month’s National People’s Conference in Mutare.
The ruling party remains divided over proposals to amend the Constitution to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s second and final term from 2028 to 2030. Other party members, particularly war veterans, are pushing for elections in 2028, with Chiwenga seen as a potential candidate.
Speaking at ZANU PF headquarters on Monday, Mutsvangwa said Zimbabweans are satisfied with Mnangagwa’s leadership. “It is a democratic party. There is palpable prosperity being delivered to Zimbabwe and the membership of ZANU PF is happy with that man. They have not seen anything to blemish him. They say if it ain’t broke, do not fix it. Let’s wait for the date,” he said.
Factional tensions reportedly escalated after Chiwenga submitted a dossier to the politburo alleging corrupt dealings by businessmen linked to Mnangagwa. Mutsvangwa, without naming Chiwenga directly, said the politburo had rejected the dossier. “There are some people who are urging on one of the people in the presidium to be in a confrontational mood with the whole politburo. It is not good for that member… The president said there was this dossier which came from somewhere and the politburo said we do not deal with dossiers which do not come from proper institutions,” he said.
Chiwenga has yet to publicly declare any presidential ambitions, while Mnangagwa has consistently stated he does not intend to extend his term beyond 2028.
Source – newsday
