Christopher Mutsvangwa bad-mouthed Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, calling him mean, unelectable, and barely literate. Many people think Mutsvangwa dreams of becoming president by destroying a possible rival. Political experts laugh at his chances, though. Despite President Emmerson Mnangagwa asking party members to stand united, he hasn't told Mutsvangwa to stop running his mouth.
Most consider Chiwenga the natural successor when Mnangagwa finishes his last term in 2028. Based on what the party decided last year in Bulawayo, several Mnangagwa supporters want him to stay until 2030. At 82, Mnangagwa claims he won't extend his time, but critics doubt he means it. Political watchers believe Mutsvangwa attacked Chiwenga to ruin his shot at leadership.
Mutsvangwa always loses elections. He failed to win Norton back in 2000 during Zimbabwe's land reform crisis. Then, in 2013, he left Norton to try Hatfield but lost there to MDC-T's Tichaona Munyanyi. He keeps trying but can't score a seat in parliament. Party members say Mutsvangwa wants to be president but sees Chiwenga standing in his way.
The party plans to select new leaders in 2027, just before Mnangagwa must step down. Mutsvangwa stays relevant mainly because he speaks for war veterans and changes friends when needed. Expert Tendai Reuben Mbofana thinks Mutsvangwa lives in a fantasy land. "He can't lead any group in Zanu-PF. Nobody respects him - everyone thinks he's a clown," Mbofana told The Standard newspaper.
Mbofana added that Zanu-PF never holds fair elections for its leaders. "The next president comes through appointment, not free contest. Look at how Mnangagwa grabbed power - the military put him there." Mutsvangwa has fought with party leaders before, including Mnangagwa. They've kicked him out multiple times for challenging the bosses.
In March 2016, the party benched him for three years as war veterans' chairman. He had criticized former First Lady Grace Mugabe, saying she ran the government through her husband. By 2018, Mnangagwa had fired Mutsvangwa as his advisor, even though Mutsvangwa had helped to push out Robert Mugabe during the 2017 military coup. Recently, in February 2024, Mnangagwa appointed him as Veterans minister after he argued with Information Minister Jenfan Muswere about media board changes.
Mutsvangwa took another hit in October 2024 when he lost his job as a war veteran leader after ten years. He faces major corruption claims. In 2020, people accused him of using his connections to steal valuable gold mining rights. His son, Neville, faces fraud and money laundering charges tied to illegal currency deals. Critics also say Mutsvangwa encourages violence against political enemies.
Despite these problems, some analysts believe Mutsvangwa has every right to shoot for the presidency. "We should welcome political ambition," analyst McDonald Lewanika said. "The presidency should focus on ideas and national vision, not just who you know." But Lewanika warned that Mutsvangwa must learn to control his angry outbursts to have any real chance.
Zanu-PF never handles leadership changes smoothly. Mugabe first pushed out founder Ndabaningi Sithole and then lost power himself during the 2017 military coup after failing to manage party fights. As 2027 approaches, the battle for control will heat up. Whether Mutsvangwa plays a big part remains unclear, but his attack on Chiwenga shows he wants to stay in the race.
Most consider Chiwenga the natural successor when Mnangagwa finishes his last term in 2028. Based on what the party decided last year in Bulawayo, several Mnangagwa supporters want him to stay until 2030. At 82, Mnangagwa claims he won't extend his time, but critics doubt he means it. Political watchers believe Mutsvangwa attacked Chiwenga to ruin his shot at leadership.
Mutsvangwa always loses elections. He failed to win Norton back in 2000 during Zimbabwe's land reform crisis. Then, in 2013, he left Norton to try Hatfield but lost there to MDC-T's Tichaona Munyanyi. He keeps trying but can't score a seat in parliament. Party members say Mutsvangwa wants to be president but sees Chiwenga standing in his way.
The party plans to select new leaders in 2027, just before Mnangagwa must step down. Mutsvangwa stays relevant mainly because he speaks for war veterans and changes friends when needed. Expert Tendai Reuben Mbofana thinks Mutsvangwa lives in a fantasy land. "He can't lead any group in Zanu-PF. Nobody respects him - everyone thinks he's a clown," Mbofana told The Standard newspaper.
Mbofana added that Zanu-PF never holds fair elections for its leaders. "The next president comes through appointment, not free contest. Look at how Mnangagwa grabbed power - the military put him there." Mutsvangwa has fought with party leaders before, including Mnangagwa. They've kicked him out multiple times for challenging the bosses.
In March 2016, the party benched him for three years as war veterans' chairman. He had criticized former First Lady Grace Mugabe, saying she ran the government through her husband. By 2018, Mnangagwa had fired Mutsvangwa as his advisor, even though Mutsvangwa had helped to push out Robert Mugabe during the 2017 military coup. Recently, in February 2024, Mnangagwa appointed him as Veterans minister after he argued with Information Minister Jenfan Muswere about media board changes.
Mutsvangwa took another hit in October 2024 when he lost his job as a war veteran leader after ten years. He faces major corruption claims. In 2020, people accused him of using his connections to steal valuable gold mining rights. His son, Neville, faces fraud and money laundering charges tied to illegal currency deals. Critics also say Mutsvangwa encourages violence against political enemies.
Despite these problems, some analysts believe Mutsvangwa has every right to shoot for the presidency. "We should welcome political ambition," analyst McDonald Lewanika said. "The presidency should focus on ideas and national vision, not just who you know." But Lewanika warned that Mutsvangwa must learn to control his angry outbursts to have any real chance.
Zanu-PF never handles leadership changes smoothly. Mugabe first pushed out founder Ndabaningi Sithole and then lost power himself during the 2017 military coup after failing to manage party fights. As 2027 approaches, the battle for control will heat up. Whether Mutsvangwa plays a big part remains unclear, but his attack on Chiwenga shows he wants to stay in the race.
