Political Reporter- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has pulled out of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York, citing security concerns and escalating power struggles within Zanu PF.
The president is under growing pressure from a faction aligned with his deputy, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, which is pushing for him to step down in 2028—a decision likely to be confirmed at the party’s October conference.
Mnangagwa, however, is rallying his supporters to block Chiwenga and extend his rule beyond the 2028 constitutional mandate.
His fear of travelling comes after his escaped death last Sunday when his military helicopter crashed in Masvingo.
His distrust also deepened after an unsettling incident Thursday involving a controversial birthday advert for Mnangagwa published by the Financial Gazette.
The advert mistakenly included “Rest in “Peace,” an editorial blunder that has raised suspicions of foul play within government ranks.
The Ministry of Defence expressed concerns that this error might be part of a calculated effort to escalate the ongoing power struggle between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga.
On Friday morning, reports say suspected military officers raided the home of Daily News editor Guthrie Munyuki, further intensifying speculation that the advert was not an accident but rather a deliberate attempt to undermine Mnangagwa.
The timing of the incident is significant, as tensions between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga have been simmering since the military-led ousting of Robert Mugabe in 2017.
Although initially allies, the relationship between the two men has soured, with Chiwenga feeling increasingly sidelined.
The advert has only added fuel to rumours that Chiwenga harbours ambitions to replace Mnangagwa, intensifying fears that their rivalry could fracture Zanu PF.
As both camps remain silent, the true motives behind the advert—and whether it was an editorial mistake or a political manoeuvre—remain unclear, but the incident has exposed a deepening rift within ZimbabweZimbabwe’ship.This development could deal a blow to Chiwenga’s ambitions of succeeding Mnangagwa in 2028, a scenario that has long been the subject of intense speculation.
The strategic reduction of conference delegates is widely seen as an attempt to minimise Chiwenga’s support base, especially from the grassroots, as Mnangagwa’s faction works to consolidate power.
Zanu PF National Chairperson Oppah Muchinguri announced the new delegate limits, stating, “It’s not everyone who will attend. It will be the Politburo members, Central Committee members, National Consultative Assembly members, provincial executive members, and district co-ordinating committees. We avoided bringing all lower engines of the party as we used to do in the past, learning best practices from other countries like China.”
This deliberate exclusion of lower-level party structures is seen as a move to curb Chiwenga’s influence, which has been bolstered by the support of these constituencies in previous party meetings.
By reducing their presence, Mnangagwa’s faction is narrowing the pool of potential dissenters, further isolating Chiwenga.
The proposed elevation of Mabel Chinomona to a key leadership position marks a significant shift in the party’s internal dynamics.
Should Chiwenga be ousted, his path to leadership in 2028 would be blocked, ensuring Mnangagwa’s tight control over Zanu PF and the country’s political future.
Chinomona’s loyalty to Mnangagwa has never been in question, with many viewing her rise as a calculated move to entrench Mnangagwa’s dominance over party structures.
The conference will be held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds in Bulawayo from October 22 to 27, a setting where crucial decisions about the party’s future will unfold.
With tensions between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga simmering, the outcome of this conference could shape the political landscape for years to come.
Muchinguri-Kashiri emphasised the smaller, more elite gathering would foster deeper debate, stating, “Even the inputs and resolutions that will come out of the conference will be rich because of the numbers. Delegates will debate, argue, and do critical thinking.”
However, behind these diplomatic words lies the reality of a fierce battle for control of Zanu PF, with the stakes higher than ever as Chiwenga finds himself increasingly isolated from key decision-making processes.
Whether he will mount a counteroffensive remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Mnangagwa’s grip on power is tightening, and Chiwenga’s political future hangs in the balanc
