Mutsvangwa's Mugabe coup remark opens can of worms

Observers have criticized Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa for speaking with a "forked tongue" following his recent remarks alleging that the late former President Robert Mugabe was removed from power because he sought to establish a family dynasty.

Mugabe was ousted in a military coup in November 2017 and succeeded by his former ally Emmerson Mnangagwa. At the time, the then 93-year-old leader faced accusations of surrounding himself with alleged criminals and attempting to consolidate power within his family.

Speaking at a press conference last Tuesday, Mutsvangwa claimed that Mugabe "had turned his house and his household into a courthouse of intrigue against the constitution of Zimbabwe... turning it into a family dynasty, that's the antithesis of the revolution."

He added that any president who "goes haywire" risks being removed, implicitly justifying Mugabe's removal.

However, political observers argue that Mutsvangwa's statements now hang over Mnangagwa himself like a sword of Damocles and suggest his comments may be a veiled attack on the current leader.

Political analyst Reuben Mbofana dismissed claims of a Mugabe dynasty, stating, "There was not a point at all whereby Mugabe anointed [former first lady] Grace Mugabe to be his successor. It was just an assumption that he was going to." Mbofana further noted that before the coup, Mugabe was rumored to have favored former Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi as successor, not his family.

Mbofana also challenged the notion of a Mugabe family dynasty, saying, "What dynasty? Mugabe's children were nowhere near power. They were busy just getting drunk and buying expensive whiskeys in South Africa and Zimbabwe."

In stark contrast, Mbofana argued that Mnangagwa has actively involved his family in governance. "His son David is a deputy finance minister, his nephew Tongai is a deputy minister of tourism and hospitality, and his wife Auxillia is now in the politburo. Another son, Sean, is a major in the military," he said, describing Mnangagwa's administration as a "tribesmen, or clansman government" dominated by relatives from his rural hometown.

Former University of Zimbabwe lecturer Eldred Masunungure also criticized Mutsvangwa's comments, saying they were "distorted to drive a political agenda." Masunungure added that there is no substantial or qualitative difference between Mnangagwa and Mugabe when it comes to dynastic tendencies.

Political analyst Jealousy Mawarire went further, accusing Mnangagwa of the very abuses Mutsvangwa attributes to Mugabe. "Mutsvangwa was not really worried about the dynasty or state capture; he was worried about what he was benefiting from," Mawarire said.

"Mugabe did not have his children in cabinet or running state departments. Under Mnangagwa, everything around the presidency is controlled by his children and wife, making it a worse situation."

While Mutsvangwa describes Mnangagwa as a constitutionalist, Mawarire argued otherwise, claiming the president has violated both the national constitution and the Zanu-PF party constitution.

Mnangagwa's rule, now in its eighth year, has been plagued by allegations of state capture, cronyism, and nepotism. The 82-year-old leader has indicated his intention to step down in 2028, when his current term expires, despite calls within his party to extend his tenure to 2030.

As the debate over political dynasties intensifies, Mutsvangwa's accusations against Mugabe appear to have opened a contentious dialogue about the very nature of power and succession within Zimbabwe's ruling elite.