President Emmerson Mnangagwa has dramatically reshaped the leadership of Zanu PF by removing Secretary-General Obert Mpofu and appointing his close ally, Jacob Mudenda, the Speaker of Parliament, in his place.
Mpofu, a key supporter of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, has been reassigned to the relatively marginal position of Secretary for ICT — a move widely seen as a calculated blow to Chiwenga’s influence in the ruling party’s deepening succession battle.
This latest shake‑up comes at a time when Zanu PF is once again riven by factional tension reminiscent of the turbulence that led to the dramatic removal of Robert Mugabe in November 2017. Since then, the party has been embroiled in a simmering contest over who will succeed Mnangagwa, now in his eighties.
The rivalry centres on two powerful camps. On one side stands Mnangagwa, who consolidated control after Mugabe’s fall; on the other is Chiwenga, the former commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces whose decisive intervention brought Mnangagwa to power in 2017.
In recent weeks, tensions have escalated sharply. Chiwenga is reported to have circulated a dossier accusing Mnangagwa’s allies of looting billions of dollars, naming businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei — widely seen as Mnangagwa’s preferred successor — as a central figure. These allegations have rattled Zanu PF’s leadership and deepened the mistrust between rival factions.
Against this backdrop, Mnangagwa abruptly cancelled a planned trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, after intelligence briefings warned that his absence could leave his allies vulnerable to arrest and political attacks. Security sources said the Central Intelligence Organisation advised that leaving the country could expose Mnangagwa’s camp to crippling blows from within the party and state structures.
The removal of Mpofu is widely interpreted as a decisive attempt to strip Chiwenga of political influence. Analysts note that the move signals just how high‑stakes the succession struggle has become. It is reminiscent of the events of 2017, when Mugabe’s refusal to relinquish power culminated in his ousting by the military. At that time, Mnangagwa and Chiwenga presented a united front — an alliance now fractured into open rivalry.
Mnangagwa Fires Obert Mpofu in Major Zanu PF Shake‑Up, Elevates Ally Jacob Mudenda
The reshuffle, announced by Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa, strengthens Mnangagwa’s hold over the party and reshapes its leadership core:
Jacob Mudenda, formerly Treasurer General, is elevated to Secretary-General, inheriting Mpofu’s powerful administrative portfolio and control over party operations.
Patrick Chinamasa, a trusted Mnangagwa ally, moves from Secretary for Legal Affairs to Treasurer General, granting him control over party finances.
Ziyambi Ziyambi, previously Secretary for ICT, takes over as Secretary for Legal Affairs, positioning him at the centre of upcoming legal and constitutional battles.
The changes effectively place Mnangagwa loyalists in key strategic positions, marginalising Chiwenga’s faction and consolidating the president’s grip on the party apparatus.
However, the developments also underline the fragility of Zanu PF’s internal cohesion. The demotion of Mpofu — a respected political heavyweight in Matabeleland and a seasoned administrator — risks alienating important constituencies and further polarising the party. Many analysts argue that this marks an escalation of the succession contest to a level that could destabilise not only Zanu PF but the country itself.
The struggle for succession in Zanu PF has been a recurring undercurrent since Mnangagwa assumed power. Now, with the sidelining of Mpofu, that struggle has moved into the open. The stakes are no longer merely about political positioning within the party — they strike at the heart of Zimbabwe’s political future.
Observers warn that the reshuffle could intensify factional rivalries, with Chiwenga’s camp likely to view Mpofu’s demotion as an aggressive political move. This could deepen divisions within Zanu PF at a time when unity is critical, especially ahead of upcoming elections and amidst growing economic and social challenges.
For Mnangagwa, the changes are a clear message: control over Zanu PF is essential to shaping the succession process. By installing trusted allies in key positions, he strengthens his influence over party policy, strategy, and candidate selection.
For Chiwenga, however, the move marks a significant setback. Mpofu was a strategic ally with substantial influence within Zanu PF structures, particularly in Matabeleland. His removal signals that Mnangagwa is prepared to weaken his rival’s base in order to secure his own succession plans.
The Zanu PF leadership reshuffle therefore does more than change personnel — it reshapes the balance of power within Zimbabwe’s ruling party. It underlines the reality that succession politics is no longer a distant possibility but an immediate and highly contested battle.
As the dust settles from this latest development, all eyes will be on Zanu PF. The question is no longer whether there will be a succession contest, but who will emerge victorious when it finally comes.
Source- ZimEye
