News / National
Zanu-PF faces growing dissent from within
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Zanu-PF is facing growing internal turmoil as war veterans, once a loyal constituency, have turned against President Emmerson Mnangagwa's leadership. Under the leadership of respected war veteran Blessed Geza, the ex-combatants have accused Mnangagwa of corruption, nepotism, and a betrayal of the principles of the liberation struggle. Geza's vocal criticism, which calls for Mnangagwa's immediate resignation, has gained considerable traction, igniting broader discontent within the party.
This movement, championed by Geza, has created significant tension, as it has garnered support from party members who are increasingly disillusioned with Mnangagwa's handling of national issues. Many party figures, particularly at the grassroots level, have expressed their frustration with Mnangagwa's leadership, citing his failure to uphold the values of the liberation struggle and rampant corruption within the ranks of the ruling party.
In response, Mnangagwa's loyalists, including prominent ministers such as Ziyambi Ziyambi, Owen "Muda" Ncube, and Tatenda Mavetera, have mounted a counter-campaign to rally support for the President's 2030 vision, a plan to extend his presidency until that year. However, their efforts have been met with mounting resistance from within the party, with many members rejecting the idea of prolonged rule.
Over the weekend, the Zanu-PF leadership attempted to address these growing divisions by launching a cell verification program in Harare province, aimed at measuring party loyalty. The program, however, was poorly attended, with reports indicating that some districts had as few as 20 members in attendance. The lackluster turnout underscores the deepening divisions within the party, particularly over the 2030 agenda, which has become a flashpoint for discontent.
A party member from Ward 6 in Churu constituency, speaking anonymously, expressed their disapproval of the program, stating, "We did not attend the meeting because we do not want to be forced to support the 2030 project." The lack of enthusiasm for the 2030 initiative highlights the growing divide within Zanu-PF, where many members feel alienated by Mnangagwa's leadership and the perceived manipulation of the party's future direction.
In an effort to salvage the 2030 agenda, Zanu-PF chief whip Togarepi issued an order for MPs to hold meetings across the country to drum up support for the extension of Mnangagwa's presidency. The directive, shared through party WhatsApp groups, called on MPs to mobilize support and provide evidence of their work in promoting the 2030 vision.
However, reports indicate that many MPs are reluctant to comply with Togarepi's instructions. "It seems that attempts to extend Mnangagwa's term of office have ripped the party apart," one anonymous MP remarked, highlighting the deepening rift between those loyal to the President and those aligned with the war veterans.
The divisions within Zanu-PF have become more pronounced, particularly as the war veterans, led by Geza, gain momentum in their push for change. The government has issued a warrant for Geza's arrest, but there has been no official announcement regarding his apprehension. Geza, widely known as Bombshell, has become a symbol of resistance within the party, and his defiance of Mnangagwa's leadership has sparked widespread discussion.
The internal rift has also caught the attention of former Zanu-PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, who, in an interview with HSTV, argued that Mnangagwa's attempt to extend his term was a "self-inflicted wound." Kasukuwere pointed to the growing influence of the war veterans and their calls for Mnangagwa's resignation, asserting that once the veterans turned against him, Mnangagwa's political fate was sealed.
Despite efforts to rally party loyalty, the attendance at the recent cell verification process has raised alarm within Zanu-PF. In several districts, attendance was shockingly low, with some areas reporting just a fraction of the expected turnout. In Ward 6, Churu constituency, only 20 members attended, far short of the 1,250 members required. In other districts, including Seretse Khama and Mbuya Nehanda, attendance remained similarly dismal.
This lack of enthusiasm for party activities points to a broader erosion of support for Mnangagwa's leadership, particularly at the grassroots level. Critics within the party have accused provincial executives, such as Godwills Masimirembwa, of fostering division, with many members claiming that his leadership is biased and corrupt. Masimirembwa, however, could not be reached for comment.
As the party grapples with its internal divisions, it is clear that Mnangagwa's future as party leader is uncertain. With war veterans and disgruntled party members rallying behind Geza's call for change, and the grassroots increasingly rejecting the 2030 project, Zanu-PF is facing a pivotal moment that could reshape Zimbabwe's political landscape. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Mnangagwa can hold onto power or if the party will fracture under the weight of its internal dissent.
This movement, championed by Geza, has created significant tension, as it has garnered support from party members who are increasingly disillusioned with Mnangagwa's handling of national issues. Many party figures, particularly at the grassroots level, have expressed their frustration with Mnangagwa's leadership, citing his failure to uphold the values of the liberation struggle and rampant corruption within the ranks of the ruling party.
In response, Mnangagwa's loyalists, including prominent ministers such as Ziyambi Ziyambi, Owen "Muda" Ncube, and Tatenda Mavetera, have mounted a counter-campaign to rally support for the President's 2030 vision, a plan to extend his presidency until that year. However, their efforts have been met with mounting resistance from within the party, with many members rejecting the idea of prolonged rule.
Over the weekend, the Zanu-PF leadership attempted to address these growing divisions by launching a cell verification program in Harare province, aimed at measuring party loyalty. The program, however, was poorly attended, with reports indicating that some districts had as few as 20 members in attendance. The lackluster turnout underscores the deepening divisions within the party, particularly over the 2030 agenda, which has become a flashpoint for discontent.
A party member from Ward 6 in Churu constituency, speaking anonymously, expressed their disapproval of the program, stating, "We did not attend the meeting because we do not want to be forced to support the 2030 project." The lack of enthusiasm for the 2030 initiative highlights the growing divide within Zanu-PF, where many members feel alienated by Mnangagwa's leadership and the perceived manipulation of the party's future direction.
In an effort to salvage the 2030 agenda, Zanu-PF chief whip Togarepi issued an order for MPs to hold meetings across the country to drum up support for the extension of Mnangagwa's presidency. The directive, shared through party WhatsApp groups, called on MPs to mobilize support and provide evidence of their work in promoting the 2030 vision.
However, reports indicate that many MPs are reluctant to comply with Togarepi's instructions. "It seems that attempts to extend Mnangagwa's term of office have ripped the party apart," one anonymous MP remarked, highlighting the deepening rift between those loyal to the President and those aligned with the war veterans.
The divisions within Zanu-PF have become more pronounced, particularly as the war veterans, led by Geza, gain momentum in their push for change. The government has issued a warrant for Geza's arrest, but there has been no official announcement regarding his apprehension. Geza, widely known as Bombshell, has become a symbol of resistance within the party, and his defiance of Mnangagwa's leadership has sparked widespread discussion.
The internal rift has also caught the attention of former Zanu-PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, who, in an interview with HSTV, argued that Mnangagwa's attempt to extend his term was a "self-inflicted wound." Kasukuwere pointed to the growing influence of the war veterans and their calls for Mnangagwa's resignation, asserting that once the veterans turned against him, Mnangagwa's political fate was sealed.
Despite efforts to rally party loyalty, the attendance at the recent cell verification process has raised alarm within Zanu-PF. In several districts, attendance was shockingly low, with some areas reporting just a fraction of the expected turnout. In Ward 6, Churu constituency, only 20 members attended, far short of the 1,250 members required. In other districts, including Seretse Khama and Mbuya Nehanda, attendance remained similarly dismal.
This lack of enthusiasm for party activities points to a broader erosion of support for Mnangagwa's leadership, particularly at the grassroots level. Critics within the party have accused provincial executives, such as Godwills Masimirembwa, of fostering division, with many members claiming that his leadership is biased and corrupt. Masimirembwa, however, could not be reached for comment.
As the party grapples with its internal divisions, it is clear that Mnangagwa's future as party leader is uncertain. With war veterans and disgruntled party members rallying behind Geza's call for change, and the grassroots increasingly rejecting the 2030 project, Zanu-PF is facing a pivotal moment that could reshape Zimbabwe's political landscape. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Mnangagwa can hold onto power or if the party will fracture under the weight of its internal dissent.
Source - the standard
