Harare – In a dramatic escalation of the power struggle at the top of Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has publicly locked horns with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, with sources inside ZANU-PF confirming that the two men are now openly at odds ahead of a parliamentary vote on the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill 3 (CAB3). The bill, which has been shrouded in secrecy and political maneuvering, is widely seen as a vehicle to reshape the country’s succession rules – either extending Mnangagwa’s hold on power or clearing the path for Chiwenga’s own ambitions.
The CAB3 Battle
Constitutional Amendment Bill 3, introduced in parliament last year, has become the flashpoint of Zimbabwe’s factional war. While the government has been vague on the bill’s exact provisions, leaked drafts and public statements from ZANU-PF officials suggest it could alter the timeline for presidential elections, adjust term-limit clauses, or introduce a mechanism that would allow Mnangagwa to bypass the two-term cap he faces after 2028. Political analyst Reuben Chikwanda, a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe, said the bill is ‘a proxy war over the soul of the party and the future of the state.’
‘This is not about legal technicalities – it’s about survival,’ Chikwanda said. ‘Chiwenga’s faction sees CAB3 as a tool to entrench Mnangagwa’s faction and sideline the military-backed wing of ZANU-PF. If the bill passes, the balance of power shifts decisively toward the civilian presidency. If it fails, Mnangagwa loses face and Chiwenga gains momentum for a leadership challenge.’
