In an extraordinary live display of factional alignment, dozens of Zimbabwean ruling party lawmakers have openly declared their support for Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, a move that analysts say signals the intensification of a bitter succession battle within ZANU-PF. The broadcast, streamed online and viewed thousands of times within hours, shows MPs chanting Chiwenga’s name and vowing loyalty to the former army general – a stark warning to President Emmerson Mnangagwa that his grip on the party may be slipping.
The event, which appeared to be a coordinated rally inside a party meeting, marks the first time such a large bloc of legislators has publicly broken ranks to back a single successor. Chiwenga, 68, has long been seen as a rival to Mnangagwa, 82, who has not publicly designated a heir. The vice president’s military background and his role in the 2017 coup that ousted Robert Mugabe give him serious leverage, but the open show of support from MPs now threatens to tear the party apart before the next election.
A direct challenge to Mnangagwa’s authority
Political analyst Dr. Tafadzwa Chikwanha of the University of Zimbabwe described the broadcast as 'a declaration of war inside the party'. 'The fact that MPs are willing to be seen on camera backing Chiwenga tells you they believe the balance of power has shifted. This is no longer backroom maneuvering; it’s a public reckoning.' The live feed, which lasted roughly 45 minutes, showed lawmakers from at least six provinces taking turns to pledge allegiance to the vice president. Some used coded language – 'the general’s leadership', 'the restoration of discipline' – that aligns with Chiwenga’s known hardline stance on corruption and party unity.
The timing is critical. Zimbabwe faces deepening economic crisis – inflation hit 190% in March, the Zimbabwe dollar has collapsed, and basic goods are scarce. With elections due in 2028 but Mnangagwa’s health in question, the succession question has become urgent. A senior party insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the rally was ‘a response to Mnangagwa’s attempts to sideline Chiwenga by elevating rivals like Foreign Minister Frederick Shava and Security Minister Owen Ncube.’
Southern Africa watches nervously
The ripple effects extend beyond Harare. Botswana, South Africa, and Mozambique all rely on stable ties with Zimbabwe for trade, energy, and security. A violent internal party purge could spill over into regional instability. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has already issued statements urging ‘calm and adherence to constitutional processes’ – diplomatic code for fears of a coup or extra-legal transition. Zambia’s former president Rupiah Banda, in a recent interview, warned that ‘the ghost of 2017 is still alive in Harare. If the generals decide they don’t like the civilian leadership, the region will have to act.’
For ordinary Zimbabweans, the power struggle is a grim distraction. Washington-based human rights group FreedomHouse noted in its 2024 report that Zimbabwe’s governance score has fallen for three consecutive years. ‘While politicians fight over who gets to lead, the people are starving,’ said Eldred Masunungure, a Harare-based civil society leader. ‘We need policies, not palace coups.’ The live rally, however, suggests the palace is exactly where the fight will be won or lost. Whether Mnangagwa can contain the rebellion – or whether Chiwenga will soon take the oath – remains the defining question for Zimbabwe and the entire sub-region.
