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Mnangagwa loyalist in trouble
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Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe could be facing political turbulence after Youth Minister Tino Machakaire delivered what appeared to be a veiled warning against him during a Zanu-PF women's league meeting in Wedza on Friday.
While Machakaire did not explicitly name Garwe, party supporters from Mashonaland East—where both ministers hold influence—interpreted his remarks as directed at Garwe. The youth minister accused unnamed party officials of attempting to "personalise" Zanu-PF and running it through intimidation, warning of "dire consequences" for anyone who continued such behaviour.
Garwe, who is also Zanu-PF's Mashonaland East provincial chairperson, has reportedly been convening meetings to target party members opposed to the controversial plan to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term from 2028 to 2030. He has also allegedly led the suspension of members believed to support Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, considered the front-runner to succeed Mnangagwa. Among those reportedly victimised is former Mashonaland East provincial minister Apollonia Munzverengwi, who was dismissed from her post in February this year.
During the Wedza meeting, Machakaire, hailed by the crowd as the "bull of Wedza," said, "The president says no one should be left behind, but there is someone who wants to leave everyone behind and go it alone… If you want to provoke us, we will beat you right in front of the people." He stressed the need for unity within Zanu-PF and warned against anyone intimidating other members.
Addressing Munzverengwi directly, Machakaire said: "Achikombo, don't be intimidated by people speaking nonsense. I want to see the man who will come intimidating you… You were voted to represent people, and anyone hindering you from doing so doesn't belong to the party." He further cautioned that Zanu-PF does not belong to any individual and called for collective cooperation among party members.
Despite his pointed remarks, Machakaire denied targeting Garwe when contacted, stating that his focus was on promoting unity within Zanu-PF. Garwe, however, was unreachable for comment.
The dispute highlights ongoing factional tensions in Zanu-PF linked to Mnangagwa's succession. While the 82-year-old president has repeatedly said he does not intend to extend his tenure beyond 2028, some of his loyalists continue to campaign for a two-year extension, further polarizing the party.
This public confrontation between Machakaire and Garwe underscores the growing internal power struggles within Zanu-PF as the succession debate intensifies, particularly in Mashonaland East, a province central to the ongoing political jockeying.
While Machakaire did not explicitly name Garwe, party supporters from Mashonaland East—where both ministers hold influence—interpreted his remarks as directed at Garwe. The youth minister accused unnamed party officials of attempting to "personalise" Zanu-PF and running it through intimidation, warning of "dire consequences" for anyone who continued such behaviour.
Garwe, who is also Zanu-PF's Mashonaland East provincial chairperson, has reportedly been convening meetings to target party members opposed to the controversial plan to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term from 2028 to 2030. He has also allegedly led the suspension of members believed to support Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, considered the front-runner to succeed Mnangagwa. Among those reportedly victimised is former Mashonaland East provincial minister Apollonia Munzverengwi, who was dismissed from her post in February this year.
During the Wedza meeting, Machakaire, hailed by the crowd as the "bull of Wedza," said, "The president says no one should be left behind, but there is someone who wants to leave everyone behind and go it alone… If you want to provoke us, we will beat you right in front of the people." He stressed the need for unity within Zanu-PF and warned against anyone intimidating other members.
Despite his pointed remarks, Machakaire denied targeting Garwe when contacted, stating that his focus was on promoting unity within Zanu-PF. Garwe, however, was unreachable for comment.
The dispute highlights ongoing factional tensions in Zanu-PF linked to Mnangagwa's succession. While the 82-year-old president has repeatedly said he does not intend to extend his tenure beyond 2028, some of his loyalists continue to campaign for a two-year extension, further polarizing the party.
This public confrontation between Machakaire and Garwe underscores the growing internal power struggles within Zanu-PF as the succession debate intensifies, particularly in Mashonaland East, a province central to the ongoing political jockeying.
Source - The Standard
