War in Zanu-PF as bigwigs tussle over affiliates

Infighting has erupted within Zanu-PF-linked affiliates amid allegations that senior ruling party figures are battling to seize control of empowerment funds and grassroots structures ahead of the groups' planned integration into the party.

The power struggles, which insiders say are being driven by competing political ambitions and access to State-backed resources, have exposed growing factionalism within organisations originally formed to mobilise support for President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The disputes come as scrutiny intensifies over accountability and transparency in the management of presidential empowerment funds, with concerns that programmes intended to uplift ordinary citizens are increasingly being diverted to serve elite political interests.

The turmoil follows a resolution adopted at Zanu-PF's annual conference in Mutare last year, which directed that party affiliates be integrated into the ruling party's formal structures.

Senior Zanu-PF officials said yesterday that recent remarks by President Mnangagwa's special investment adviser, Paul Tungwarara - in which he accused some affiliates of misusing presidential empowerment funds - were triggered by allegedly misleading reports made to him by party elites seeking to wrest control of the groups through parallel structures.

Sources claim that some politicians have hijacked empowerment funds channelled through Tungwarara's office and are now demanding controlling stakes in affiliate organisations. Ambitious politicians are also accused of deliberately fuelling divisions by creating rival factions as they position themselves ahead of the affiliates' formal integration into Zanu-PF.

Addressing a gathering in Chimanimani, Manicaland province, recently, Tungwarara warned some affiliate leaders that their "days are numbered", adding that an audit was under way to assess the use of resources.

His warning came amid mounting concern over alleged abuse of State-backed empowerment programmes by senior party figures, raising questions about whether the funds are reaching their intended grassroots beneficiaries.

However, NewsDay has established that infiltration by Zanu-PF elites into key affiliate structures is a major driver of the current turmoil.

"There are politicians who have realised that affiliates play a big role in bringing new membership to the party," a source said. "These are the same politicians who fought the affiliates in 2023, fearing for their positions. When the affiliates started in 2021 and 2022, there were no such fights. Now, ahead of integration, politicians have found a way to infiltrate and create parallel structures."

The source added that empowerment funds were also being targeted. "In short, they have hijacked them," the source said.

Several grassroots affiliates are reportedly affected, including Vapostori for Economic Development, Vendors for Economic Development, Cross-Border Traders for Economic Development, Nurses for ED and Varakashi for ED.

Divisions have surfaced within Varakashi for ED, where founding chairperson Jones Musara is facing internal opposition. A rival group led by Godwin Nkatha has emerged, allegedly with the backing of a senior politburo member from Manicaland.

Vendors for ED founder and chairperson Samora Chisvo, who formed the organisation in 2021, is also facing a leadership challenge. Vice-chairperson Nyarai Simenti has been accused of attempting to wrest control from Chisvo, who has described the move as an attempted "coup". The development has drawn condemnation from members, who are calling for Simenti to be held accountable.

Before the 2023 elections, Vapostori for ED was led by Madzibaba Moses Gwasira, with Obey Mapuranga as spokesperson. This year, however, Mapuranga allegedly formed the National Multi-Faith Economic Dialogue, bringing together N'angas for ED, Vapostori for ED, Pentecostals for ED, Masvikiro for ED and other groups, reportedly with backing from certain politicians.

Similarly, while Nurses for ED was previously led by Cynthia Chisiri, new entities such as Health Ambassadors for ED and Doctors for ED have recently emerged.

Cross-Border Traders for ED, chaired by Zanu-PF praise singer David Masomere, popularly known as DJ Masomere, is also facing internal resistance, with a separate Women Cross-Border Traders for ED now in existence.

"The decision to integrate affiliates into the party following the Mutare resolution has intensified infiltration and factionalism," another insider said.

Zanu-PF political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha confirmed that the matter was under investigation.

"I am yet to get the details. I am currently at the farm for the holiday, but I will investigate the matter and come back to you," Machacha said. "They are not supposed to fight because these are revolving funds from which everyone is set to benefit."

Zanu-PF director of information Farai Marapira said the affiliates were independent organisations.

"On the infiltration issue, I am yet to receive such reports," Marapira said. "Yes, we have some Zanu-PF members who may also belong to affiliates, but affiliates are independent and have their own constitutions."