ALACRITY, rowdiness, extravagance and political theatre, these aptly describe the crowd at the just-ended Zanu PF National People’s Conference in Mutare, Manicaland province.
As usual, getting into the city was a herculean task. From every direction, convoys of roaring vehicles brought delegates into Mutare with the usual fanfare.
Yet behind the exuberance and song lay deep-seated intrigue, political chicanery and factional plotting, the familiar rhythm of Zanu PF’s grand theatre.
Tension had been building all week, following nail-biting politburo and central committee meetings in Harare ahead of the conference. The drama began when a document prepared by the party’s new secretary for legal affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, was leaked.
Ziyambi was responding to an “untitled document” presented earlier by Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga (pictured with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and First Lady Auxillia).
His response was scathing. Ziyambi dismissed Chiwenga’s opening remarks as “lacking contextual background,” “mere political rhetoric,” and “of no consequence”.
He accused the Vice-President of “disrespecting the party’s founding fathers” in a “reprehensible manner”, and went further to allege “treason”, saying Chiwenga harboured “disdain and anger” towards Resolution No. 1, the controversial proposal to extend President Mnangagwa’s term from 2028 to 2030.
Defending the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) document (which exiled former minister Jonathan Moyo has dismissed claims of authoring), Ziyambi described Chiwenga’s counter-document as “divisive and inciteful”.
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He warned that Chiwenga’s conduct amounted to a “coup attempt” through “treacherous acts”, “violation of others’ privacy” and “incitement of violence and despondency”.
The party’s spokesperson, Christopher Mutsvangwa, also joined the fray, firing a public salvo at Chiwenga on the eve of the conference.
By then, emotions were running high. Delegates from Masvingo, Midlands and Mashonaland West were reportedly baying for Chiwenga’s ouster, vowing he would not “have his day on the high table”.
But when the conference finally opened, the fiery atmosphere had cooled. Perhaps it was the chilly Mutare weather, or perhaps fatigue had set in.
Delegates, dressed in colourful party regalia, filled the city under heavy police escort. Zupco buses ferried them in, while top officials arrived in sleek SUVs from Nyanga and Vumba, where they had been lodged.
Business in Mutare came to a standstill as the city hosted Zanu PF’s political carnival.
Yet the much-anticipated showdown fizzled.
At the venue, Chiwenga’s name was whispered rather than shouted. Even perceived rivals, Mutsvangwa and businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, were seen exchanging bear hugs, signalling a fragile truce.
Still, the 2030 Agenda dominated proceedings, complete with new songs and slogans. Secretary-general Jacob Mudenda called for discipline and respect for the entire presidium, Mnangagwa, Chiwenga, Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, national chair Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and himself.
When the presidium finally entered the conference hall, Mnangagwa and First Lady Auxillia received the loudest cheers.
Chiwenga’s reception was noticeably lukewarm, until Muchinguri-Kashiri gently scolded delegates for the muted applause.
During introductions, some senior officials, including national commissar Munyaradzi Machacha, initially avoided the “2030” chant, though it gained momentum as provinces took the floor. Delegates from Mashonaland West, Masvingo and Midlands were the most vocal.
When his turn came to introduce Mnangagwa, a visibly-charged Chiwenga called for “genuine economic empowerment”, again warning against zvigananda (economic saboteurs).
Evoking the spirit of the late General Josiah Tongogara, he urged leaders to remember that they were “not the Alpha and the Omega of Zimbabwe’s journey”, and that the blood of fallen comrades “demanded integrity”.
He called for the spirit of “endurance, honesty, unity and service” adding that “the fallen” heroes were watching.
“Their blood demands integrity. Their voices cry out against corruption, laziness and moral decay,” Chiwenga said.
Mnangagwa, in turn, stuck to familiar themes, railing against corruption, party infiltration and abuse of social media.
In a symbolic gesture of unity, he stumbled through isiNdebele phrases and sought the assistance of Chiwenga’s wife, Miniyothabo, drawing polite laughter from delegates.
On the second day, the youth league stole the show, invading a section reserved for foreign dignitaries to lead chants for Mnangagwa and the First Lady. Their energy was an apparent effort to erase the awkwardness of the opening day, so it seems
However, a breach of protocol on the final day raised eyebrows, Chiwenga was denied his traditional role of introducing Mnangagwa at the closing ceremony.
Insiders said the programme had been “manipulated” to silence him after his sharp remarks during the opening session. Mohadi, who normally delivers closing remarks, was also skipped.
Muchinguri-Kashiri was at the top of her game, swiftly calling out any signs of dissent.
As delegates drifted back home, the question lingered: who emerged stronger from Mutare, Mnangagwa or Chiwenga?
The jury, as always in Zanu PF’s theatre of power, is still deliberating.
