VP Chiwenga’s Face-to-Face Confrontation with President Mnangagwa
?
• Date: Shortly before last week’s Wed Politburo meeting.
• Location: State House, then later ZANU PF Headquarters.
• Key players: VP Constantino Chiwenga, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, business figures (Nguwaya, Sakupwanya, Tagwirei, Chivayo), ministers (Matuke, Shava), and Obert Mpofu.
? The Confrontation at State House
• Chiwenga raises alarm:
• “Can you explain what is happening with these gluttons — the Zviganandas?”
• Accuses four businessmen of looting:
• Delish Nguwaya (Pomona Dumpsite)
• Scott Sakupwanya
• Kuda Tagwirei
• Wicknell Chivayo
• Mnangagwa defends Nguwaya: “He is my friend.”
• Chiwenga presses:
• “When you come out of the helicopter, we see Wicknell Chivayo holding your phones — all our secrets in the hands of a thief. Do you not care?”
• “When Chivayo gives you $10m, he has already taken $90m.”
• “When he gives you $1m, he has already stolen $50m.”
• Demand: “You must arrest Tagwirei.”
? Mnangagwa Walks Out
• Mnangagwa storms out in anger.
• Leaves State House in convoy, heading to ZANU PF HQ.
• Chiwenga, left behind, later follows to continue the confrontation.
? The Showdown at ZANU PF HQ
• Chiwenga repeats demand: “If you are not benefitting, arrest this crew. They are stealing $3.5 billion every six months — $7 billion a year from Tagwirei alone.”
• Adds: “From Chivayo, millions more. Show us one company Chivayo runs that contributes to the economy.”
⚔️ Clash with Ministers
• Lovemore Matuke interrupts, accusing Chiwenga of presidential ambitions:
• “You seem interested in the presidency — can you come clean?”
• Chiwenga fires back:
• “You never fought in the war. Your only claim to state security is cattle deals with the President. I am not interested in any position.”
• Frederick Shava intervenes:
• “Both of you are my presidents. Please take this matter out of the Politburo and into the President’s private procedures.”
? Fallout
• Mnangagwa threatens to resign.
• Chiwenga responds: “You cannot leave us in this mess.”
• President unsettled by Obert Mpofu’s silence (then Secretary for Administration).
• Insiders say this silence partly explains Mpofu’s subsequent removal in the reshuffle.
? Aftermath
• Next day, Mnangagwa signals ZANU PF succession race is open:
• Announces there will be 2028 presidential candidate elections.
• Editorial projection:
• Chiwenga risks being de-campaigned, potentially weakening his standing.
• Mnangagwa also emerges damaged — authority shaken.
?️ Reactions
• Temba Mliswa (former MP): “Chiwenga is being misled.”
• Jealousy Mawarire (commentator): “Mnangagwa is gone.”
? In short: Both men are weakened. The confrontation may have triggered the opening shots of the ZANU PF 2028 succession battle.
