behind the scenes

Zimbabwe: Is Zanu PF imploding ahead of the 2023 elections?

By Farai Shawn Matiashe

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Posted on December 3, 2021 16:23

President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga greet supporters of his ZANU PF party at a rally in Murombedzi
President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga greet supporters of his ZANU PF party at a rally in Murombedzi, Zimbabwe November 24, 2018. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo

Even though Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, appear to be in good books while in public, insiders say, the latter’s allies are against the former’s endorsement by some Zanu PF members to run for the 2023 elections. Hence, there has been an ongoing cold war between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga allies as Zimbabwe heads towards the harmonised polls.

On Tuesday 23 November this year, 40 former liberation fighters were arrested by police and charged with inciting public violence.

The former liberation fighters had taken to the streets to express their grievances, which include poor pension earnings.

The Zimbabwean dollar has been losing value against its benchmark, the US dollar, since its introduction in 2019, eroding the salaries and earnings of most people on the government’s payroll.

The former liberation fighters have also been hit hard by the rising costs of basic commodities, with some of the goods and services being charged at exorbitant prices, even in USD.

Key role in ruling party

The detained fighters were released following a Harare Magistrate Court order on 29 November after having spent four days behind bars. They play a key role in the ruling party Zanu PF’s power dynamics.

Leading up to November 2017, when the late

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