By Staff Reporter
Bulawayo – Zanu PF’s ongoing conference on Friday was marred by factional clashes as purported supporters of vice president Constantino Chiwenga were ejected in a near-fistfight brawl.
Dozens of Chiwenga’s loyalists were removed from the venue by Zanu PF Harare province’s secretary of finance, Voyage Dambuza, who was assisted by the province’s secretary of transport, Nicholas Hamadziripi, and other party youths aligned with the “ED 2030” agenda.
The incident highlights the deepening succession crisis within the party, pitting Chiwenga’s backers against those supporting president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s extended term to 2030.
Chiwenga’s backers recently formed the General Chiwenga Voluntary Supporters Association (GCVSA), representing ZIPRA veterans and various Zanu PF affiliates from Bulawayo and the Matabeleland provinces, which recently issued a statement opposing the notion of Mnangagwa remaining in power until 2030.
Sources indicate that at least ten delegates believed to be supporting Chiwenga were forcibly removed from their seats during the conference, while others were barred from entry altogether.
Additionally, reports suggest that more than 20 delegates opted not to attend after witnessing their peers being denied access and ejected.
This incident follows reports of a military faction rallying behind Chiwenga as a potential successor when Mnangagwa’s term ends in 2028.
In contrast, another faction within Zanu PF is advocating for an extension of Mnangagwa’s term beyond its constitutionally mandated conclusion, further exacerbating the polarized atmosphere within the ruling party.
Prior to the incident, Mnangagwa publicly stated that he has no intentions of remaining in power beyond 2028, when his constitutionally ascribed term concludes.
At a recent Zanu PF politburo meeting, he urged party leaders and supporters to avoid factionalism and adhere to the constitution.
Efforts to reach Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa for comment on the incident were unsuccessful, as his phone went unanswered and he did not respond to the questions sent to him.