Zanu PF spokesman Christopher Mutsvangwa went after Vice President Constantino Chiwenga hard. He called him mean, unable to read, and bad for winning votes. Mutsvangwa dreams of leading Zanu PF but thinks Chiwenga blocks his path. He talked with Dug Up on February 17, 2025, but people only saw the interview last Friday.
Chiwenga felt angry about these words. He asked President Mnangagwa for a chat on Monday. The fight started because Chiwenga asked Mnangagwa to pick him as the next leader. This made Mutsvangwa mad. He said, "That guy wanted to become the next president without an election. First he tried to force the president to choose him, then he planned to push him out. How does that make sense?"
Mutsvangwa pointed out the differences between leaders. "Mugabe used to name who came next, but President Mnangagwa says we need elections. That fits a party based on voting." Zanu PF plans big elections in 2027, just before Mnangagwa finishes his last term. Mutsvangwa thinks Chiwenga cannot win because Zanu PF members will reject him.
The attack kept going with more personal jabs. Mutsvangwa claimed women voters hate Chiwenga because he hurt his ex-wife Mary Mubaiwa. "Women make up half the voters here. You cut off your former wife's legs through meanness. You keep her from seeing her kids, even the one she brought to your marriage." He added that President Mnangagwa wanted to forgive her, but Chiwenga said no.
Mutsvangwa also attacked Chiwenga for speaking poorly. He made fun of how Chiwenga says English words with "L" sounds as "R" instead. "Put an L in front of any Shona person who never went to school. The R comes from mom, but L comes from teachers. That shows a person who cannot read." He said fighting in wars does not excuse lacking education.
The claims about war service sparked anger. Mutsvangwa said Chiwenga never helped in the Congo War when Zimbabwe sent troops. But soldiers who fought there remember Chiwenga visiting the front lines. After these harsh words, former party member Gifford Gomwe wrote to Mary Mliswa asking for punishment against Mutsvangwa. He said Mutsvangwa insulted both Chiwenga and President Mnangagwa.
Party insiders say Chiwenga feels extremely upset about this interview. He plans to meet with President Mnangagwa on Monday. During this meeting, he will ask for action against Mutsvangwa, his rival for future party leadership. The outcome might affect who leads the country after the current term limits end.
Chiwenga felt angry about these words. He asked President Mnangagwa for a chat on Monday. The fight started because Chiwenga asked Mnangagwa to pick him as the next leader. This made Mutsvangwa mad. He said, "That guy wanted to become the next president without an election. First he tried to force the president to choose him, then he planned to push him out. How does that make sense?"
Mutsvangwa pointed out the differences between leaders. "Mugabe used to name who came next, but President Mnangagwa says we need elections. That fits a party based on voting." Zanu PF plans big elections in 2027, just before Mnangagwa finishes his last term. Mutsvangwa thinks Chiwenga cannot win because Zanu PF members will reject him.
The attack kept going with more personal jabs. Mutsvangwa claimed women voters hate Chiwenga because he hurt his ex-wife Mary Mubaiwa. "Women make up half the voters here. You cut off your former wife's legs through meanness. You keep her from seeing her kids, even the one she brought to your marriage." He added that President Mnangagwa wanted to forgive her, but Chiwenga said no.
Mutsvangwa also attacked Chiwenga for speaking poorly. He made fun of how Chiwenga says English words with "L" sounds as "R" instead. "Put an L in front of any Shona person who never went to school. The R comes from mom, but L comes from teachers. That shows a person who cannot read." He said fighting in wars does not excuse lacking education.
The claims about war service sparked anger. Mutsvangwa said Chiwenga never helped in the Congo War when Zimbabwe sent troops. But soldiers who fought there remember Chiwenga visiting the front lines. After these harsh words, former party member Gifford Gomwe wrote to Mary Mliswa asking for punishment against Mutsvangwa. He said Mutsvangwa insulted both Chiwenga and President Mnangagwa.
Party insiders say Chiwenga feels extremely upset about this interview. He plans to meet with President Mnangagwa on Monday. During this meeting, he will ask for action against Mutsvangwa, his rival for future party leadership. The outcome might affect who leads the country after the current term limits end.
