Masvingo’s ZANU-PF boss declares war on Chiwenga – ZimEye

By Political Reporter – Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU-PF) bigwigs in Masvingo have declared war on party vice president Constantino Chiwenga to stop him taking power after President Mnangagwa leaves office.

The provincial leadership, known for internal factional fighting, openly supports Mnangagwa to remain in power until 2030, in violation of an agreement reached during the 2017 coup that toppled Robert Mugabe.

In 2017, the military junta led by Chiwenga replaced Mugabe with Mnangagwa on the condition that Mnangagwa must serve two terms in power and then hand over power to Chiwenga.

Last Saturday, Zanu-PF’s Masvingo Province held an inter-district meeting attended by the party’s national political commissioner, Munyaradzi Machacha, and senior political bureau members from the province, including Lovemore Matuke, Paul Mangwana, John Paradza, and the party’s provincial chairperson, Robson Mavhenyengwa.

The meeting was also attended by the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Decentralization, Ezra Chadzamira.

At the meeting, the party leadership condemned Chiwenga and expressed support for Mnangagwa to continue in power after 2028.

Mnangagwa had previously announced that he would not continue in office beyond the constitutionally mandated two terms, which are due to end in 2028. However, Mavhenigwa told the inter-district meeting that ZANU PF Masvingo Province wanted Mnangagwa to continue in office until 2030.

“It was made clear by all present that the ruling party in Masvingo wants President Mnangagwa to continue in office beyond 2028. We know that under the constitution the president is not supposed to continue in office beyond 2028, but if given the opportunity, we would humbly ask him to stay in office until 2030,” Mafhenwa said.

He further elaborated that the decision reflected the wishes of party members in Masvingo Province who appreciated Mnangagwa’s infrastructure projects and his vision of transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income society by 2030.

Brian Munyoro, the ZANU Masvingo provincial secretary, echoed Mavheniwa’s statement and said the ZANU Masvingo province unanimously supports Mnangagwa to continue leading the country after 2028. Munyoro said: “We are satisfied with the good work he has done and as the ZANU Masvingo provincial representative in Masvingo, we hope that he can continue to govern until 2030 and realize his vision.”

Machacha promised to convey the message to Mnangagwa. “You made me happy. You sang at Masvingo Polytechnic; there is nothing in this country that does not start in Masvingo. In 2017, you sang ‘kumagumo kune nyaya’ (there is trouble at the end) and we have indeed seen the end you said,” Machacha said to loud applause from delegates.

Machacha asked rhetorically what he would say to the president now that Masvingo wants him to stay in power and Mnangagwa has expressed a desire to rest after two terms. “You have given me a very difficult task but I assure you that I will complete the task you have given me,” Machacha added to loud applause and cheers from delegates.
– National Media

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