Chris Mutsvangwa loses ‘control’ of war vets….as Cephas Ncube takes over

By Staff Reporter

Harare – In a stunning upset, Zanu PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa was defeated in the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) chairperson election by Cephas Ncube from Bulawayo province.

Ncube won overwhelmingly, securing 294 votes, while Albert Ncube came second with 90 votes, followed by Victor Matemadanda with 75 votes, and Mutsvangwa with just 11 votes.

The election took place at the Zanu PF Convention Centre on Saturday in Gweru during the association’s elective congress.

Mutsvangwa’s loss comes just ahead of the Zanu PF 21st National People’s Conference, scheduled to take place at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Grounds in Bulawayo from October 22 to 27.


Critics suggest that Mutsvangwa’s defeat reflects ongoing succession disputes within Zanu PF, particularly his vocal opposition to president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s potential continuation in power beyond 2028.

War veterans are pivotal in Zanu PF’s succession dynamics, and Mutsvangwa’s removal may have been orchestrated to undermine challenges to Mnangagwa’s leadership.

A Zanu PF faction aligned to vice president Constantino Chiwenga has been resisting efforts by another rival faction pushing for Mnangagwa’s extended term.

The ongoing succession dispute within Zanu PF has heightened tensions between the rival factions aligned with Mnangagwa and Chiwenga.

Last week, Zanu PF chairperson and Defense Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri was met with boos from war veterans when she introduced the “Vision 2030” slogan, which seeks to extend Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028.

This proposal was met with strong resistance, as the war veterans openly opposed the initiative.

At ZNLWVA’s weekend election Shorai Nyamangondo was elected vice chairperson unopposed.

Other members of the executive are Joel Murerengwa (Secretary-General), Thomas Manyima (Legal Affairs), Vincent Chinone (Transport), Cde Section Ncube (Finance), Sanik Nguni (Security), Nyembesi Togara (Women Affairs) and Samuel Parirenyatwa (Political Commissar).

Ncube in his acceptance speech said he was elated to be entrusted to lead the association and promised to represent all war veterans.


“I am very happy with the trust that has been bestowed on me by my fellow comrades and I promise to work very hard with everyone as we take our association forward.


“I will soon be engaging everyone so that we remain as vibrant as before as an association,” he said.

Victor Matemadanda, who came third in the election, conceded defeat and pledged to work with the new executive to advance the association’s interests.

“I want to firstly thank all the comrades for the support they gave us for all these years when we were in the executive.

“We will continue to work together as an association, advocating for our welfare and everything else,” he said.

The ZNLWVA’s last elective congress was held in Masvingo in 2013, where Mutsvangwa and his executive were elected.

The association is required to hold a congress every five years, but the 2018 congress was postponed due to the harmonized elections and later delayed again because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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