Mnangagwa-Chiwenga power struggle boils over

Long-simmering political tensions between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga erupted into an explosive Cabinet confrontation yesterday over the controversial Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Bill of 2026, laying bare an intensifying power struggle at the heart of government.

The high-stakes clash unfolded as ministers debated sweeping constitutional and legal reforms that would fundamentally alter Zimbabwe's political, electoral and governance system. At the centre of the storm is the proposal to extend Mnangagwa's tenure by two years beyond his current 2028 constitutional limit to 2030, increase presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years, and replace direct popular election of the President with a parliamentary vote.

Multiple sources said Cabinet descended into a fierce and emotionally charged exchange, with ministers openly aligning themselves with either Mnangagwa or Chiwenga in what has become a defining succession battle within Zanu PF.

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi opened proceedings by presenting a memorandum summarising the Bill before Mnangagwa invited debate. Ziyambi argued that the reforms were designed to enhance "political stability," ensure "policy continuity," and address what he described as political toxicity stemming from disputed elections.

Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe, a staunch Mnangagwa ally, quickly threw his weight behind the proposals, describing them as the logical culmination of Zanu PF's annual conference resolution in Mutare backing the 2030 agenda. He was supported by Energy Minister July Moyo and Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo.

Chiwenga, however, mounted a fierce pushback.

According to ministers present, the Vice-President spoke passionately and emotionally, arguing that the proposed amendments negated the gains of the liberation struggle, particularly the right of citizens to directly elect their President.

"He said the liberation war was fought so that people could choose their leaders through the ballot, and removing that right would betray its values and objectives," said one minister who attended the meeting.

Chiwenga and his allies also argued that the proposed amendments were sweeping and went far beyond the scope of Zanu PF's 2030 resolution, describing them as an overhaul of the constitutional order rather than a narrow term-extension measure.

Sports Minister Anselem Sanyatwe, a key Chiwenga ally and former army commander, reportedly backed the Vice-President's position. Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri is said to have responded sharply, reminding Chiwenga and Sanyatwe that they were not the only ones who fought in the liberation war.

The confrontation unfolded against the backdrop of a previous Cabinet meeting on December 16, 2025, where Chiwenga blocked the introduction of the proposals on procedural grounds, arguing that ministers had not been given adequate time to study the documents.

A minister who spoke on condition of anonymity said yesterday's meeting was marked by "ferocious clashes" between the two camps.

"The President opened the floor and several ministers spoke. The Vice-President pushed back very strongly. It was highly charged," the minister said.

The source added that some ministers who had raised their hands to speak, including Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, were not given the opportunity as debate intensified.

As discussions drew toward a conclusion, Mnangagwa reportedly prepared to leave for another engagement, apparently confident that sufficient support had been marshalled. However, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya is said to have urged that the matter be settled before the President departed, with tensions still running high.

By the end of the meeting, Mnangagwa's camp appeared to have carried the day, with Cabinet approving the memorandum.

The confrontation reflects a broader and increasingly public rift between the two leaders, both central figures in the November 2017 military intervention that removed former President Robert Mugabe from power.

Since assuming office, Mnangagwa has reshaped the security and political landscape, replacing senior military, police and intelligence officials and redeploying key figures in what analysts describe as efforts to consolidate authority and prevent the emergence of rival power bases.

Chiwenga, a former army general widely seen as instrumental in the 2017 intervention, has reportedly opposed aspects of the 2030 agenda, warning of serious political consequences.

With the Constitutional Amendment Bill now set to proceed through the legislative process, the Cabinet showdown signals that the battle over Zimbabwe's political future is no longer confined to party corridors but has reached the highest levels of government — with profound implications for succession, governance and the country's constitutional order.