CHIWENGA- At the heart of Zimbabwe’s ruling party, a shadowy political strategy has been quietly set in motion — not merely to alter internal party dynamics but to trigger a profound realignment of state power. Far from public view, ZANU-PF’s provincial chairpersons, many allegedly bound by lavish inducements from businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, convened to craft a plan aimed squarely at the removal of Vice President General Constantino Chiwenga, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s deputy.
Observers have long suggested that Chiwenga’s removal would be more than just a personnel change. For many within the party, it represents a seismic moment — a trigger for what could be described as “change,” a reshaping of Zimbabwe’s political architecture. Indeed, for some of Mnangagwa’s critics and rivals, sidelining Chiwenga is not merely desirable, it is essential.
According to sources familiar with the closed-door meeting, the gathering of provincial leaders was not routine politicking. It was a calculated operation. The agenda was clear: table a motion of no confidence against Chiwenga at the forthcoming ZANU-PF party conference. The objective went beyond stripping him of his official title — it was about removing his influence, undermining his command within both the party and government.
More than a political manoeuvre, this was framed by its architects as a prelude to a larger transition — a military and political reconfiguration that would once again shift Zimbabwe’s balance of power. The removal of Chiwenga, a former commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and a figure with deep military influence, was seen as the first step in neutralising a key power bloc within the state.
Inside ZANU-PF’s Covert Plan to Oust Vice President Chiwenga
What made this plot possible, insiders say, was a combination of loyalty, inducement, and calculated risk. Sources allege that Tagwirei — whose business dealings and political influence have long drawn scrutiny — played a central role in securing provincial chairpersons’ commitment. These inducements reportedly ranged from monetary rewards to promises of economic favours, embedding loyalty through a mixture of patronage and obligation.
Provincial leaders such as Youth Chairman Tawanda Mukodza and war veteran Jabulani Sibanda were named as principal actors in this manoeuvre, selected not only for their political clout but also for their ability to mobilise support within key party constituencies. Their involvement underscores the depth of ambition — and the level of fear — driving the campaign against Chiwenga.
General Chiwenga is no ordinary political figure. As Vice President and former military commander, he commands influence that extends deep into both ZANU-PF and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. His position has often been viewed as a critical counterbalance within the ruling party’s factional battles. Removing him would not merely alter the party hierarchy; it would strip Mnangagwa of a partner who embodies both political and military weight.
For those pushing for Chiwenga’s ouster, the reward is strategic: the opportunity to reshape the power architecture, consolidate control, and potentially pave the way for a succession plan more favourable to their own ambitions. For Mnangagwa, the stakes are equally high, as sidelining his deputy risks destabilising the delicate balance of alliances that keep the party united.
If successful, the plan to remove Chiwenga could mark the beginning of a broader transition in Zimbabwe. Such a shift could have far-reaching implications — not only within ZANU-PF but across the country’s political and military landscape. It would alter the calculus of power, reshape succession debates, and potentially redefine Zimbabwe’s governance trajectory.
For critics of the move, however, the strategy exposes deeper fault lines within ZANU-PF. It reveals a party willing to deploy covert political engineering and patronage to settle internal disputes, with little regard for transparency or democratic process. It also raises questions about the role of business interests in shaping the country’s political future.
What emerges from this investigation is a portrait of a political contest driven as much by personal ambition as by ideology. The choice of actors — from provincial chairpersons to influential war veterans — suggests a calculated campaign, one where loyalty is secured through incentives, and risk is weighed against the potential prize of power.
Whether the motion of no confidence will succeed remains uncertain, but the very orchestration of such a plan marks a turning point in Zimbabwe’s political narrative. It underscores the lengths to which factions within ZANU-PF are prepared to go to achieve their aims, and it sets the stage for a showdown that could reshape the future of both the party and the state.
The coming months will reveal whether this covert strategy will remain confined to the inner chambers of party politics or whether it will erupt into a full-scale realignment that transforms Zimbabwe’s political order.
Source- ZimEye
