A POWER struggle that has been simmering for months between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his ambitious deputy, retired General Constantino Chiwenga, has intensified over the past two weeks, with factions said to belong to them fighting bitterly over control of re-introduced District Coordinating Committees (DCCs).
Mnangagwa and the former Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander are fighting for the heart and soul of Zanu-PF and control of the levers of state power.
The differences between the two emerged after the November 2017 coup over several issues, such as type of transitional arrangement, key appointments, including cabinet posts and Mnangagwa's tenure.
The party resolved to re-introduce the DCCs in its structures last year, claiming they were the missing link in the coordination of its programmes.
DCCs were disbanded in 2012 after they became the centre of terminal factional fights among bigwigs. The party felt DCCs were, during that time, being used to foment divisions and fan factionalism between camps led by Mnangagwa and then vice-president Joice Mujuru. Mujuru and Mnangagwa were angling to succeed the late former president Mugabe. According to the Zanu-PF constitution, there are 60 rural DCCs and 29 in urban areas that must be constituted.
When fully constituted, the DCCs form part of Zanu-PF's congress the supreme decision-making body mandated to elect the party president. Accordingly, whoever controls DCCs has greater potential of sustaining power in Zanu-PF.
Party insiders told the Zimbabwe Independent in off-the-record briefings this week that vicious campaigning is currently underway in all 10 provinces ahead of the DCC elections set to be conducted over the next two months. The campaign is reportedly being held on factional lines, as bigwigs line up proxies for influential positions amid intense skulking and skulduggery.
"There is commotion all over the country. People are burning the midnight oil plotting. The elections themselves are promising fireworks," a Zanu-PF politburo member said.
"There are widespread allegations of vote-buying and imposition of candidates by senior officials who want to assert control of the lower structures and it's getting messy."
According to party insiders, the factional fights are more intense in the three Mashonaland provinces.
party officials in Mashonaland east, particularly in Chiwenga's home district of Wedza, alleged that the Vice-president was involved in the selection of candidates. They also alleged that he was working with former deputy minister of transport Michael Madanha now Zimbabwe National roads Administration (Zinara) board chairperson.
Allegations of vote-buying have also been levelled against Madanha, formerly Wedza South legislator. He is being accused of distributing food hampers, cellphones and cash to party members.
Madanha, who is the current provincial deputy chair, is said to have ambitions of becoming the next provincial chairperson, a position currently held by Joel Biggie Matiza.
"It was virtually early Christmas in Wedza. Soon after the pCC (provincial coordinating committee) held a meeting in marondera to announce the return of the DCCs, Madanha dispatched, through his driver known as mutete, products which we were told were donations from Vp Chiwenga. Around 20 cellphones were handed out over the last two weeks, which they said were meant to help improve communication when the need arises," a source from the province said.
"mutete delivered groceries in Goneso ward 13 and when people asked, again he said they were from Vp Chiwenga and Cde Madanha shall communicate to them later. Madanha has been trying to consolidate power in Wedza district to show he has the qualities to take over the provincial chairperson position from Matiza, who is said to be loyal to president Mnangagwa."
"People are spending nights here scheming," the official said.
Madanha was not answering calls yesterday. He also did not respond to questions sent on his mobile phone via WhatsApp despite him having read them, as evidenced by the blue ticks used on the application to indicate that the recipient would have read the message.
matiza said they had received reports of vote-buying, but denied that he suspended Madanha on Monday as Zinara chairperson to settle political scores.
"I am aware of those issues, they have been raised. What we are going to do as the provincial leadership is to ensure that anyone who has been proved to have violated rules will be dealt with according to laid down procedures. Zanu-PF people know what to do and what not to do. If those allegations are proven to be true, the party has systems in place to deal with them," Matiza said.
on Madanha's suspension, Matiza said: "That has nothing to do with DCC elections at all, there are purely Zinara issues."
In mashonaland Central, daggers are out for provincial chairperson, Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe, with party members pushing for his disqualification after he reportedly violated rules by allegedly starting campaigning before clearance was given. Kazembe is reportedly facing stiff competition from businessman tafadzwa musarara.
Sources said Kazembe held meetings with members of the youth and women's leagues last week on Wednesday.
"The meeting took place at Kazembe's office in Concession next to the magistrates Court and was addressed by one Richard Chirongwe, the province's war veterans. Kazembe was also in the meeting and took the opportunity to read the riot act against any district member who will campaign for Tafadzwa Musarara," a source who attended the meeting alleged.
"What is surprising is that Kazembe started campaigning well before the party gave us the greenlight to do so and according to party rules, he should be disqualified on account of that along with all his proxies," the source said.
both Kazembe and musarara were not reachable for comments as repeated calls went unanswered. They were also not responding to SmS and WhatsApp messages sent to them.
Zanu-PF national political commissar Victor matemadanda, said: "Those people should report the allegations to my office and we will take them up. For now I have not received any official complaints of vote-buying and candidate impositions, but once we get them we will take decisive action," he said.
Addressing a midlands provincial Coordinating Committee meeting in Gweru on Saturday, Matemadanda said: "I heard that in Mashonaland West, there was a caucus meeting to shortlist candidates for DCC and say so and so will be chairperson, secretary, etc . . . that is nonsense. We are going to do proper elections there. In Chipinge, I heard that is what was happening also. In Mashonaland east, I heard there was a district which was doing that again. Let me tell them that they will achieve nothing. Here in midlands, the same problem had started, but I shall not mention names," Matemadanda said.
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SEO Meta Title Car Insurance Quotes: Compare Coverage and Save
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When shopping, collect at least three quotes using the same coverage limits and deductibles. If one quote is much cheaper, ask why. It may exclude something important or use a different coverage level. Also check the insurer's claims reputation, customer service, financial strength, mobile app experience, and local agent availability.
Be careful with the phrase full coverage. It is not a standard legal term. People often use it to mean liability plus comprehensive and collision, but it may not include rental car coverage, gap insurance, roadside assistance, original equipment manufacturer parts, or high liability limits. Instead of asking for full coverage, specify the coverage types and limits you want.
Your personal situation also affects pricing. Insurers may consider your driving record, location, vehicle type, mileage, coverage history, age, claims history, and sometimes credit-based insurance scores where allowed. Because pricing models differ, the cheapest insurer for one driver may not be cheapest for another.
Review your policy after major life changes. Moving, buying a car, paying off a loan, adding a teen driver, getting married, changing jobs, or driving fewer miles can affect your coverage and premium. You should also compare rates before renewal because loyalty does not always guarantee the best price.
The goal is not simply to find the cheapest car insurance quote. The goal is to find a policy that balances price, protection, claim service, and peace of mind. A strong comparison process can help you avoid coverage gaps while still keeping the premium under control.
Medicare Part D Plans: How Prescription Drug Coverage Works
Medicare Part D plans, prescription drug plans, Medicare drug coverage, Part D cost, Medicare prescription coverage, best Medicare Part D plan
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Medicare Part D Plans: Prescription Drug Coverage Explained
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Prescription drug costs can be one of the biggest concerns for people on Medicare.
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Medicare Part D helps pay for prescription medications. It is offered by private companies approved by Medicare.
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Medicare says Part D helps pay for brand-name and generic drugs, and it is optional coverage available to everyone with Medicare.
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Who Needs Medicare Part D?
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You may need Part D if you have Original Medicare and want prescription drug coverage.
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You may also receive drug coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D.
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Even if you do not take prescriptions now, Medicare says you should consider drug coverage to avoid a possible late enrollment penalty if you join later without creditable coverage.
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What Do Part D Plans Cover?
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Part D plans cover prescription medications, but each plan has its own formulary.
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A formulary is the list of covered drugs.
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Plans may organize drugs into tiers such as:
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Preferred generic
rnGeneric
rnPreferred brand
rnNon-preferred brand
rnSpecialty drugs
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The tier affects your cost.
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What to Check Before Choosing a Part D Plan
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Your Exact Medications
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List every medication, including:
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Drug name
rnDosage
rnQuantity
rnFrequency
rnPreferred pharmacy
rnGeneric or brand preference
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Small differences can change your annual cost.
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Pharmacy Network
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Some plans have preferred pharmacies where your cost may be lower.
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Check:
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Retail pharmacy pricing
rnPreferred pharmacy pricing
rnMail-order options
rnOut-of-network pharmacy rules
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Restrictions
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A plan may require:
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Prior authorization
rnStep therapy
rnQuantity limits
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These rules can affect access and cost.
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2026 Part D Out-of-Pocket Cap
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For 2026, Medicare says yearly out-of-pocket costs for Part D-covered prescription drugs are capped at $2,100. Once that cap is reached, you do not pay copayments or coinsurance for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year.
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This is important for people with expensive medications.
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Part D Late Enrollment Penalty
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If you go without Part D or other creditable prescription drug coverage for too long after becoming eligible, you may owe a late enrollment penalty.
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Medicare says the 2026 late enrollment penalty is calculated using 1% of the national base beneficiary premium, which is $38.99 in 2026, multiplied by the number of full uncovered months.
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Extra Help for Drug Costs
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Extra Help is a Medicare program for people with limited income and resources. It helps pay Part D premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and other costs. Medicare says people receiving Extra Help also do not pay a Part D late enrollment penalty while they have Extra Help.
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Common Part D Mistakes
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Avoid:
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Choosing by premium only
rnNot checking your exact medications
rnIgnoring preferred pharmacy pricing
rnMissing enrollment deadlines
rnAssuming all plans cover all drugs
rnNot reviewing the plan each year
rnIgnoring prior authorization rules
rnFailing to apply for Extra Help if eligible
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How Often Should You Review Your Part D Plan?
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Review your Part D plan every year.
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Plans can change:
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Premiums
rnDeductibles
rnFormularies
rnDrug tiers
rnPharmacy networks
rnRestrictions
rnCopays
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Even if your plan worked last year, it may not be the best choice next year.
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Final Thoughts
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Medicare Part D can help reduce prescription drug costs, but the right plan depends on your medications and pharmacy.
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Before enrolling, compare formularies, drug tiers, pharmacy pricing, deductibles, and total annual cost.
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The best Part D plan is not always the cheapest monthly premium. It is the one that lowers your real prescription costs.
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