General Chiwenga backs Mnangagwa bid

It has emerged that Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Constantine Chiwenga is now firmly backing VP Emmerson Mnangagwa to succeed President Robert Mugabe.

Senior Zanu-PF leaders said initially Chiwenga was undecided between the two camps, one led by Mnangagwa and the other by First Lady Grace Mugabe.

However by choosing to support Mnangagwa, Chiwenga has reportedly put his career on the line as Mugabe, now hugely influenced by his increasingly powerful wife, has powers to extend his tenure or terminate his contract.

This comes as Grace is intensifying her nationwide campaigns whose purpose remains unclear and subject to speculation.

A source said Grace and her allies' strategy is to build an alliance spanning Mashonaland and Matebeleland provinces to isolate Mnangagwa to Masvingo and Midlands, perhaps Manicaland which is up for grabs.