Tinoda Machakaire's power in Zanu-PF shaken

ZANU-PF's national secretary for youth affairs, Tinoda Machakaire, is facing a significant challenge to his political clout after party secretary-general Obert Mpofu publicly reprimanded him for unilaterally reshuffling the youth league's national executive.

Machakaire, appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has been accused of sidelining the youth league's elected national executive in favor of provincial chairpersons, which has led to internal divisions and factions within the party. Sources within the youth league claim that Machakaire's actions have triggered tensions, with many elected members aligning themselves with his deputy, John Paradza, who holds an elected position in the league.

The power struggle between Machakaire and Paradza, which had been simmering for some time, came to a head this week when Machakaire reshuffled the youth league's national executive without consulting the relevant organs of the party. Paradza quickly responded, urging the national executive to disregard the reshuffle and seek guidance from Mpofu.

In a letter addressed to Machakaire, Mpofu reminded him of the need to follow the ZANU-PF constitution in all decisions, including reshuffling the youth league's leadership. He highlighted that Machakaire's actions had not been consulted with the national assembly of the youth league, nor ratified by the Politburo or Central Committee, as stipulated by the party's constitution.

"The restructuring exercise appears to have been implemented without consulting the national assembly of the youth league or the youth executive council or securing ratification from the politburo or central committee, as required by article 26 section 330(2) and (3) of the 2022 party constitution," Mpofu's letter stated.

He went on to explain that the directive issued by Machakaire might be "ultra vires" – meaning it went beyond the powers granted by the party's constitution. Mpofu also warned that such unilateral decisions could cause division within the youth league and undermine confidence in the leadership.

"There is a need to adhere to the ZANU-PF constitution, consultation and procedural integrity so as to maintain legitimacy, unity and respect for democratic norms," Mpofu added.

The reshuffle had a ripple effect, particularly among youth league members, with the clash between Machakaire and Paradza intensifying the factional fights within ZANU-PF. Machakaire's restructuring was in line with the resolutions passed during this year's national conference, which sought to align the youth league's leadership with the country's 2030 national agenda.

However, the reshuffle sparked significant resistance, with Paradza and provincial chairpersons from the Matabeleland region leading the charge against Machakaire's changes. The resulting standoff further exposed the deep divisions within the party, particularly over the controversial issue of President Mnangagwa's potential term extension from 2028 to 2030.

Although Mnangagwa has repeatedly stated that he is not interested in extending his term, factions within the party, particularly from Masvingo and Midlands provinces, are reportedly pushing for an extension. Paradza is said to be one of the leaders of the "2030 agenda" faction, allegedly mobilizing youth support for the cause.

The ongoing rift over the reshuffle, as well as the broader factional disputes over the term extension agenda, have left ZANU-PF leaders at odds with grassroots structures, further complicating the party's unity.

As the party grapples with these internal struggles, the fallout from Machakaire's reshuffle has cast a shadow over his political future, and it remains to be seen how the leadership will address the growing divisions.