Jostling for Zanu-PF top post exposes fissures

Zanu-PF national political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha has issued a stern warning to party members scrambling to fill a vacant Manicaland central committee seat, saying the jostling is sowing divisions within an already fractured ruling party.

The vacancy arose after longtime central committee member Dorothy Mabika was elected chairperson of the Zanu-PF Women's League in Manicaland, leaving her Chipinge district seat open.

Sources say a fierce power struggle has erupted, with former Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) commander and current Sports, Arts and Culture minister Anselem Sanyatwe among those reportedly eyeing the position. Several wealthy benefactors from the province are also said to be lobbying aggressively, with allegations that money is changing hands to buy support.

Machacha, who was recently accused of working behind the scenes to block Sanyatwe's rise within party structures, insisted that only Chipinge district has the mandate to nominate a replacement — unless the province formally seeks a waiver.

"We are waiting for the province to give the recommendation and they are yet to do so," Machacha said. "There are guidelines which are very clear that the central committee member comes from the same district he or she resigned from. If the province wants to seek a waiver, they should write to the party and justify why."

He cautioned aspiring candidates against campaigning for the post.

"We don't campaign because it's not an election — it's a co-option. If we campaign, this will cause divisions. Those who are campaigning, we are going to whip them into line."

Party insiders claim the battle for the seat has deepened existing factional tensions in Manicaland. Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri is reportedly backing Justice Matsatsire, founder of the MenBelivED movement, for the post — a move believed to be part of a broader effort to block Sanyatwe.

Senior party sources say Muchinguri-Kashiri fears Sanyatwe's growing political influence could threaten her position as the most senior Zanu-PF figure in the province.

"If Matsatsire is co-opted into the central committee, Sanyatwe would be effectively sidelined from Zanu-PF's top decision-making body outside congress," one insider said.

Sanyatwe, a close ally of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, has been increasingly visible in Manicaland politics, setting the stage for a succession-linked power struggle with Muchinguri-Kashiri.

Manicaland provincial chairperson Tawanda Mukodza gave a terse response when contacted for comment, insisting the province would adhere strictly to party procedures.

"We follow the constitution — that is my comment. We adhere to our constitution," he said.

With factional tensions rising and pressure mounting from rival camps, the province is expected to submit a recommendation to the national leadership in the coming days. However, insiders say the battle for the Chipinge seat is far from over, and could further expose the deepening succession fissures within Zanu-PF.