HARARE — President Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismissed Retired Brigadier-General Ezekiel Zabanyana from his role as Director-General within Zanu-PF’s administrative structures, a decisive move that underscores the intensifying succession battle within the ruling party. The announcement comes just days before Zanu-PF’s annual conference, scheduled to open in the eastern highlands city of Mutare, and marks another significant shift in the internal balance of power.
Zabanyana has long been regarded as a close confidant of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, whose increasingly strained relationship with Mnangagwa has been the subject of political speculation for months. The removal of Zabanyana is widely interpreted by political analysts as part of Mnangagwa’s broader strategy to consolidate his authority and preempt emerging threats within the party.
This latest change follows a series of high-profile adjustments to Zanu-PF’s leadership structure. Notably, the replacement of party secretary-general Obert Mpofu with Jacob Mudenda earlier this year was part of a wider politburo reorganisation that observers say was designed to strengthen Mnangagwa’s influence ahead of key party events.
“The removal of Zabanyana is not an isolated incident,” said political analyst Tendai Marufu. “It forms part of a deliberate pattern in which Mnangagwa is strategically positioning loyalists while sidelining individuals perceived to be aligned with rival factions. This is a clear power play ahead of the annual conference.”
The timing of Zabanyana’s removal — just four days before the party conference — is particularly significant. Zanu-PF is entering a tense period in its history, as the looming 2030 political agenda has sparked internal debates about leadership succession and the future direction of the party.
Tensions between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga reached a head during a politburo meeting on 17 September 2025. Reports from that meeting indicate that both leaders clashed over the controversial 2030 agenda, succession plans, and allegations of corruption within the party. Analysts argue that Zabanyana’s removal reflects Mnangagwa’s determination to assert control over Zanu-PF’s decision-making structures as these high-stakes debates intensify.
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“Mnangagwa is sending a message,” said political commentator Sylvia Dube. “He wants to ensure that the conference reflects his vision and that key decisions are made under his influence. Removing Zabanyana, who is seen as a Chiwenga ally, is part of that calculus.”
The reshuffle has sparked heated discussion within political circles and among grassroots party members. Supporters of Mnangagwa hail the move as necessary to secure stability within Zanu-PF, while critics warn it risks deepening factionalism ahead of the party’s critical conference.
Factional rivalry has long been a defining feature of Zanu-PF politics, with leadership contests and strategic realignments shaping the party’s trajectory. The recent reshuffles point to a sharpened contest for influence, with Mnangagwa moving decisively to sideline opponents and consolidate power within loyal circles.
“This is a consolidation of control, plain and simple,” said political analyst Jonathan Moyo. “Mnangagwa is preparing to enter the conference with maximum leverage. Removing Zabanyana is a signal to other party leaders about where power now resides.”
Political commentators caution that the ongoing power struggle could have far-reaching implications not only for Zanu-PF’s internal cohesion but also for Zimbabwe’s broader political landscape. The ruling party is under pressure to navigate succession debates while maintaining unity, and the upcoming conference will be a critical test of its ability to manage internal divisions.
“The 2030 agenda is not just a policy matter — it is about who will lead Zimbabwe in the next chapter,” said Marufu. “The removal of key figures aligned to rival factions will inevitably reshape the party’s internal dynamics and could influence national politics far beyond the conference itself.”
There are growing concerns that factional tensions could intensify in the lead-up to the conference, with potential consequences for policy direction, governance, and political stability. Analysts point out that Zanu-PF’s handling of the succession question will be pivotal in determining the party’s future and its ability to retain cohesion amid competing ambitions.
As Zanu-PF prepares for its annual conference in Mutare, the removal of Zabanyana is likely to dominate discussions and deepen speculation about Mnangagwa’s succession strategy. Party members, political commentators, and opposition figures alike will be watching closely to see how these shifts influence the leadership landscape.
For Mnangagwa, the reshuffle represents both a consolidation of control and a calculated move to position himself favourably as the party navigates its succession and policy agenda. For Chiwenga and his allies, Zabanyana’s removal marks a setback in an increasingly fierce internal battle for influence.
The next few weeks will be critical in determining whether these strategic manoeuvres strengthen Mnangagwa’s position or further polarise Zanu-PF, shaping Zimbabwe’s political trajectory as it approaches the 2030 agenda.
Source- Bulawayo24
