Zanu PF politburo meeting abandoned amid reported Mnangagwa-Chiwenga confrontation

A scheduled Zanu PF politburo meeting in Harare was abandoned on Friday, amid reports of a confrontation between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga. The meeting was intended to discuss amendments to the ruling party’s constitution to align it with Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3, ahead of the party’s national conference scheduled for October 12–17 at Chinhoyi University of Technology.

While party officials, including spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa and information director Farai Marapira, attributed the postponement to a ‘clash of programmes’ and insisted there was ‘nothing serious,’ other reports suggest deeper political divisions. Sources indicate the cancellation stemmed from resistance by Chiwenga regarding the proposed constitutional changes.

Speculation suggests the amendments could potentially facilitate Mnangagwa remaining in power until 2030, a move that has reportedly become a flashpoint in an escalating succession battle within the party. The disruption has raised concerns regarding party unity and the ability of Mnangagwa’s allies to secure endorsements for the proposed changes without provoking further resistance from rival factions.