Sanyatwe tipped for Zanu PF Central Committee post

Former Zimbabwe National Army commander Anselem Sanyatwe is emerging as the leading contender to fill a vacant Zanu PF Central Committee position in Nyanga following the suspension of constituency representative Moses Gutu.

The vacancy arose after Gutu was suspended by the ruling party over allegations that he campaigned against Constitutional Amendment No. 3 (CAB3), which President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed into law last week.

According to party sources, the Zanu PF Manicaland Provincial Executive Council (PEC) recommended disciplinary action against Gutu for allegedly violating Article 27 of the party constitution by mobilising lower party structures against the constitutional amendment.

Videos circulating on social media purportedly show Gutu publicly denouncing the legislation, prompting the provincial leadership to suspend him pending a disciplinary hearing.

His matter is expected to be heard before Zanu PF's National Disciplinary Committee in Harare, where party members anticipate a final determination on his future within the organisation.

With Gutu's position effectively vacant pending the disciplinary process, intense lobbying has reportedly begun among party members over who should succeed him.

Party insiders say Sanyatwe, who hails from Nyanga, has emerged as the frontrunner for the influential Central Committee seat.

"Following the suspension of Gutu, the matter is going to the National Disciplinary Committee in Harare, but we are aware that there is canvassing for support for Anselem Sanyatwe to replace Gutu," a Zanu PF source in Manicaland said.

"Sanyatwe is the most senior member in Nyanga and is a favourite to take up the position."

This is not the first time Sanyatwe's name has surfaced in discussions over a Central Committee appointment.

He was previously linked to the position vacated by former Zanu PF Manicaland Women's League chairperson Dorothy Mabika. However, that post ultimately went to presidential adviser Paul Tungwarara after the party reportedly directed that Mabika's successor should come from Chipinge.

Sanyatwe, a retired lieutenant general and former commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, has remained an influential figure within the ruling party following his departure from military service.

His possible elevation to the Central Committee would further strengthen his political profile at a time when Zanu PF is implementing significant constitutional changes that have generated debate both within the party and across the country.

Neither Sanyatwe nor Zanu PF had officially commented on the reported lobbying for the position at the time of publication.