SHOTS FIRED!: Mnangagwa Rebukes Politburo Absentees Over Fundraising Ball, Targeting Deputy Chiwenga
HARARE — President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday publicly criticised Zanu PF Politburo members who failed to attend the party’s inaugural Presidential Fundraising Ball last Saturday, in remarks widely seen as directed at Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga.
Speaking at the start of the party’s 398th Ordinary Politburo meeting, Mnangagwa first praised the organisers for a successful event that raised approximately US$9.5 million for the 23rd National People’s Conference.
“I sincerely thank the Conference Organising Committee and the Resource Mobilisation Sub-Committee for organising a hugely successful Presidential Fundraising Dinner Ball held here in Harare. Congratulations for a job well done,” he said.
He then added: “Some of you came, some of you did not come, but you’re members of the politburo.”
Although Mnangagwa did not name individuals, Chiwenga was the most senior absentee and the only member of the party’s presidium who did not attend the dinner at the Hippodrome in Braeside, Harare.
Other top officials present included Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, party chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and Secretary-General Jacob Mudenda.
The fundraising ball, organised by resource mobilisation committee chairman Phillip Chiyangwa, surpassed its US$6 million target. Funds will support the National People’s Conference scheduled for Chinhoyi.
Chiwenga’s absence followed the abrupt cancellation of a Politburo meeting the previous day amid reported disagreements over proposed amendments to the Zanu PF constitution aimed at aligning it with changes to the national constitution.
The dispute has heightened long-running succession tensions within the ruling party.
The conference is expected to focus on development priorities and the party’s performance under Mnangagwa’s leadership.