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Speculation mounts over Sibanda replacing Mohadi as Vice President
47 mins ago |
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HARARE - Speculation is rife that Retired General Philip Valerio Sibanda may soon replace Vice President Kembo Mohadi as one of the second-in-command positions in both ZANU-PF and government.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently retired Sibanda from his role as Commander of the Defence Forces, appointing General Matutu as his successor.
Political analyst Chipo Musarurwa Siziba, writing on X, said Zimbabwe's evolving power matrix suggests the ruling party's succession battle is entering a decisive phase.
"The anticipated elevation of Rtd General Philip Valerio Sibanda to replace Vice President Kembo Mohadi is not merely a personnel change; it signals a deeper recalibration within the party's strategic calculus. Rtd General Sibanda's military pedigree, national stature, and reputation for discipline position him as a stabilising figure in a post-Mnangagwa political landscape," Siziba said.
Siziba noted the symbolic resonance of Sibanda's emergence, describing him as the “fourth swimmer" - a prophetic archetype whispered about in Zimbabwe's political folklore.
"If this metaphor holds, then his rise is not accidental but part of a broader historical rhythm that ZANU-PF insiders have long anticipated," she added.
According to Siziba, Sibanda's appeal cuts across factions, offering unity and order in a party often riven by internal rivalries. However, she cautioned that succession in ZANU-PF has never been straightforward, being shaped by patronage, loyalty, fear and ambition.
Indications suggest that those with vested economic interests may resist Sibanda's rise, either quietly or forcefully.
"The stakes are high, and the battle for the soul of the party is far from over. Yet, if the prophecy of the fourth swimmer is to be fulfilled, then Zimbabwe may be on the cusp of a new chapter - one defined not by slogans, but by sober leadership and national renewal," Siziba concluded.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently retired Sibanda from his role as Commander of the Defence Forces, appointing General Matutu as his successor.
Political analyst Chipo Musarurwa Siziba, writing on X, said Zimbabwe's evolving power matrix suggests the ruling party's succession battle is entering a decisive phase.
"The anticipated elevation of Rtd General Philip Valerio Sibanda to replace Vice President Kembo Mohadi is not merely a personnel change; it signals a deeper recalibration within the party's strategic calculus. Rtd General Sibanda's military pedigree, national stature, and reputation for discipline position him as a stabilising figure in a post-Mnangagwa political landscape," Siziba said.
Siziba noted the symbolic resonance of Sibanda's emergence, describing him as the “fourth swimmer" - a prophetic archetype whispered about in Zimbabwe's political folklore.
"If this metaphor holds, then his rise is not accidental but part of a broader historical rhythm that ZANU-PF insiders have long anticipated," she added.
According to Siziba, Sibanda's appeal cuts across factions, offering unity and order in a party often riven by internal rivalries. However, she cautioned that succession in ZANU-PF has never been straightforward, being shaped by patronage, loyalty, fear and ambition.
Indications suggest that those with vested economic interests may resist Sibanda's rise, either quietly or forcefully.
"The stakes are high, and the battle for the soul of the party is far from over. Yet, if the prophecy of the fourth swimmer is to be fulfilled, then Zimbabwe may be on the cusp of a new chapter - one defined not by slogans, but by sober leadership and national renewal," Siziba concluded.
Source - Byo24News
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