EXPLOSIVE: Mnangagwa Blasts Chiwenga with Biblical ‘Devil’s Spirit’ Warning as ZANU PF Succession War Explodes!
HARARE — Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa publicly rebuked Vice President Constantino Chiwenga on Wednesday, warning party members against divisive forces in ZANU PF amid an intensifying succession battle.
Speaking at a tense ZANU PF Central Committee meeting at the party headquarters in Harare, Mnangagwa declared: “Hatidi mweya waRegioni muMusangano wedu” — Shona for “we don’t want the devil’s spirit in our party.”
The reference draws from the biblical account of Legion, a multitude of demons.
Mnangagwa urged cadres to prioritise the party and national interest. “I urge us to distinguish between principled contributions intended to improve the Party and reject conduct that seeks to divide or derail the Conference Agenda. Preferences of cliques and narrow inclinations, among other retrogressive acts, have no place in our Party,” he said.
The remarks come as the two leaders clash over who should succeed Mnangagwa. Chiwenga, who as Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander played a central role in the November 2017 military intervention that removed the late Robert Mugabe and installed Mnangagwa, is widely seen as seeking the top job.
Mnangagwa is reported to favour alternatives, including billionaire Kudakwashe Tagwirei or retired General Philip Valerio Sibanda.
Tensions have been heightened by Chiwenga’s recent absences. He was the only member of the party’s top six to boycott the President’s Fundraising Dinner Ball on Saturday, which raised about US$10 million for the upcoming conference.
He also skipped the funeral of late businessman Wicknell Chivayo last week and the swearing-in of Tagwirei as Economic Development and Investment Promotion minister on Monday.
The Central Committee and Politburo meetings form part of preparations for ZANU PF’s annual National People’s Conference, which opens on Friday in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West province.
The gatherings are taking place against a backdrop of proposed constitutional amendments and deepening internal rivalry over succession.