Chiwenga assassination allegations surface

A leaked classified document purportedly originating from the United States government has alleged that an assassin was hired to track and kill Zimbabwe's Vice President Constantino Chiwenga amid intensifying factional tensions within the ruling Zanu-PF party.

According to Newsday, the report, marked "Top Secret" and stamped "Urgent", identifies a Belarusian-linked "contract asset" codenamed BEDROCK, allegedly tasked with assassinating Chiwenga - referred to in the document by his liberation war name, Dominic Chinenge.

According to the intelligence brief, BEDROCK was assigned to carry out surveillance on Chiwenga's movements and communications across the United Arab Emirates and China, reportedly preparing to "activate active measures within plausible proximity."

The leaked file describes Chiwenga as "an astute Zimbabwean national and general, shadow head of the military and designated with Tier 5 credentials within the presidency," adding that his growing influence had "placed him at the centre of an aggressive ploy to assassinate him."

The report further alleges that a payment of US$100,000 was wired to a Jersey NatWest account through an offshore trust instrument facilitated via AFTRADE DMCC Offshore Trust, a company linked to Belarus. The funds were reportedly intended to finance the operational phase of the assassination plot.

Intelligence sources cited in the document claim that "DNA and urine samples of ‘Chinenge' have been collected and analysed to dilute possible counter-measures," suggesting extensive surveillance and biological tracking of the Vice President.

The document also notes that "FVEY and Washington are fully aware of BEDROCK", linking the operative to a Belarusian military unit with prior deployments in Iraq and Equatorial Guinea. "FVEY" refers to the Five Eyes intelligence alliance comprising the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The alleged plot emerges at a time of deepening political infighting within Zanu-PF, driven by a fierce succession struggle between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy.

In mid-September, Chiwenga reportedly presented a dossier to Mnangagwa accusing several of the president's allies - including businessmen Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Pedzai "Scott" Sakupwanya, Delish Nguwaya, and Wicknell Chivayo - of siphoning billions from state coffers.

Mnangagwa's response, delivered through Justice Minister and Zanu-PF legal affairs secretary Ziyambi Ziyambi, accused Chiwenga of treason, further inflaming tensions at the top of the ruling party.

While the authenticity of the leaked document could not be independently verified, its circulation has intensified speculation about the extent of the rift within Zimbabwe's leadership and the alleged involvement of foreign entities.

Neither the U.S. government, Zimbabwean authorities, nor Belarusian officials have issued any public comment regarding the purported intelligence report, which remains classified under the U.S. National Security Act of 2021.