Chiwenga visit fuels faction talk

The absence of most Zanu PF leaders from Mashonaland West during Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga's visit to Chinhoyi last week has reignited speculation over factional divisions within the ruling party, with critics linking the low turnout to an intensifying succession battle.

Chiwenga was the guest of honour at the episcopal ordination of the Right Reverend Patrick Ngwenya as the fourth bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chinhoyi.

Among the Zanu PF officials who attended were Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo, Zvimba West MP Mercy Dinha and Makonde MP Simbarashe Ziyambi. Also present were Leslie Mhangwa of the Citizens Coalition for Change and Chinhoyi mayor Owen Charuza.

The absence of most provincial Zanu PF leaders quickly became a topic of discussion within party circles. A leaked WhatsApp exchange seen by NewsDay showed members questioning why they had not been informed of the Vice-President's visit.

"Leadership, why did you not tell us VP Chiwenga was coming to Chinhoyi today? Is that in order?" one party member reportedly wrote.

A senior Zanu PF member who attended the event said the absence of key provincial figures, including provincial chairperson Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, reflected growing internal divisions.

"It is a clear message that all is not well within the party, and the leadership is biased against VP Chiwenga," the party member said.

"Even if it is not an official party programme, Zanu PF members usually turn out in large numbers to welcome presidium members whenever they visit their provinces."

Efforts to obtain comment from Mliswa-Chikoka were unsuccessful.

Mashonaland West provincial secretary for information and publicity Nigel Murambiwa dismissed suggestions of a boycott, saying many party officials were attending the Zanu PF National Consultative Assembly meeting in Harare.

"Let's not make a storm in a teacup," Murambiwa said.

"Most of us were in Harare for a National Consultative Assembly meeting. Besides, the event was for the Roman Catholic Church, and some of our members do not belong to that denomination."

Addressing the congregation, Chiwenga steered clear of political matters, instead focusing on the growth of the Diocese of Chinhoyi and the contribution of churches to national development.

He praised the Catholic Church's investment in infrastructure, including a new primary school and the ongoing construction of Perpetual Help Secondary School, saying the projects complemented the government's development agenda.

Chiwenga also welcomed the appointment of Bishop Ngwenya by Pope Leo XIV, describing it as a significant moment for the Catholic Church in Zimbabwe.

Although the ordination centred on the installation of the new bishop, the absence of most Mashonaland West Zanu PF leaders overshadowed the event and added to speculation about internal divisions within the ruling party.

The Vice-President's visit comes amid heightened debate over succession politics within Zanu PF. In recent months, Chiwenga has repeatedly spoken out against corruption, criticising politically connected individuals, whom he has referred to as zvigananda, for allegedly looting State resources.

He has also publicly defended the principle of one person, one vote while opposing proposals to amend the Constitution to allow Parliament to elect the President.

Critics of Constitution Amendment No. 3 Bill argue that the proposed changes could weaken Chiwenga's prospects of succeeding President Emmerson Mnangagwa, an allegation the government has consistently denied.