News / National
Mugabe loyalist warns of a coup possibility
2 hrs ago | 32 Views
President Emmerson Mnangagwa's recent reshuffle of the Zanu-PF Politburo could heighten internal conflicts within the ruling party, Jealousy Mawarire, a former Robert Mugabe loyalist, has warned.
Speaking on South African broadcaster eNCA, Mawarire noted that the redeployment of senior officials, including Secretary General Obert Mpofu to a lower-profile position, risks deepening divisions in the party and, in extreme scenarios, could spark a coup.
This week, Zanu-PF announced Mpofu's removal from the influential secretary general role just weeks ahead of its congress in Mutare. Mpofu, a close ally of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, was reassigned to the Secretary of ICT portfolio. Jacob Mudenda, a known Mnangagwa loyalist, assumed the Secretary General position.
Other senior changes included the replacement of Patrick Chinamasa with Ziyambi Ziyambi as Secretary for Legal Affairs and Treasurer-General. Chinamasa had previously called for Mnangagwa's removal, citing constitutional concerns.
Mawarire suggested the reshuffle was part of a broader strategy to weaken Chiwenga, whose presidential ambitions for 2028 are reportedly gaining momentum. The analyst noted that plans for a term extension for Mnangagwa to 2030 have been shelved amid party consolidation efforts.
"There is a possibility of escalating political turmoil, of further collapse of the economy, and once it happens, and there is discohesion in the ruling party, anything is possible," Mawarire said.
Sources indicate that provincial structures are being mobilized to support Mnangagwa's controversial term extension, effectively sidelining Chiwenga.
Mawarire added: "What I am really sure about is that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is embarking on an unconstitutional third term, and that is the source of all the upheaval and confusion in the cockpit. This conflict is not only between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga - it is between Mnangagwa and the general polity, which opposes the mutilation of our constitution."
Section 95 of the Zimbabwean Constitution limits the presidency to two five-year terms. Mnangagwa is currently serving his second term, having completed roughly seven months of the late President Robert Mugabe's tenure after the 2017 coup that brought him to power.
Speaking on South African broadcaster eNCA, Mawarire noted that the redeployment of senior officials, including Secretary General Obert Mpofu to a lower-profile position, risks deepening divisions in the party and, in extreme scenarios, could spark a coup.
This week, Zanu-PF announced Mpofu's removal from the influential secretary general role just weeks ahead of its congress in Mutare. Mpofu, a close ally of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, was reassigned to the Secretary of ICT portfolio. Jacob Mudenda, a known Mnangagwa loyalist, assumed the Secretary General position.
Other senior changes included the replacement of Patrick Chinamasa with Ziyambi Ziyambi as Secretary for Legal Affairs and Treasurer-General. Chinamasa had previously called for Mnangagwa's removal, citing constitutional concerns.
Mawarire suggested the reshuffle was part of a broader strategy to weaken Chiwenga, whose presidential ambitions for 2028 are reportedly gaining momentum. The analyst noted that plans for a term extension for Mnangagwa to 2030 have been shelved amid party consolidation efforts.
"There is a possibility of escalating political turmoil, of further collapse of the economy, and once it happens, and there is discohesion in the ruling party, anything is possible," Mawarire said.
Sources indicate that provincial structures are being mobilized to support Mnangagwa's controversial term extension, effectively sidelining Chiwenga.
Mawarire added: "What I am really sure about is that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is embarking on an unconstitutional third term, and that is the source of all the upheaval and confusion in the cockpit. This conflict is not only between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga - it is between Mnangagwa and the general polity, which opposes the mutilation of our constitution."
Section 95 of the Zimbabwean Constitution limits the presidency to two five-year terms. Mnangagwa is currently serving his second term, having completed roughly seven months of the late President Robert Mugabe's tenure after the 2017 coup that brought him to power.
Source - NewZimbabwe
