Who will be the next leader of Zanu-PF?

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

The Zimbabwean political arena has yet to produce an orderly and peaceful transition from one leader to the next.

Emmerson Mnangagwa’s win of the Zanu-PF leadership came after a long and convoluted tussle which ended with the superbly staged 2017 coup.

Today CCC, which arose from the MDC succession debacle during and after Tsvangirai’s demise, is a mess that is becoming increasingly irrelevant on the political scene.

This has left all eyes on Zanu-Pf with the primary question being who will get to rule the party, and therefore probably the country next.

Zanu pf’s prodigal son, Killer Zivhu, posted a teaser on X forwarding an unidentified figure of the ‘Mhofu’ as the next leader.

“Ane mutupo uyo, is the next President after varipo ikozvino, kuda kana kusada kwenyu,” declared Zivhu.

One can declare Zivhu as an attention seeker who is trying to work his way back into the party after found himself in the cold because he backed the wrong horse in G40 in the interesting times that led to November 2017.

Who are the Mhofus in the Zanu equation?

One prominent one we can dismiss automatically despite his proximity to incumbent leader is presidential spokesperson, George Charamba. The only thing he has going for him is his totem. But not holding any office in the party, we can safely throw his name out of the hat/

Zanu Pf Secretary General, Obert Mpofu, ‘the obedient son’ to Robert Mugabe seems a more likely candidate.

A truly loyal son of the party who managed to navigate the factional waters leading to the 2017 coup, he has the requisite war credentials. He has served the party, rising through the ranks.

The veteran politician has the muscle and acumen to take over if ever the chance presents itself. He would also be a natural choice to pacify Matabeleland provinces that have a difficult relationship with Zanu-Pf.

But if one dismisses Zivhu’a totem flag as waffling, then the monkey looks more likely as the next totem to be accorded national respect.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was assumed to be the next office holder during and after the 2017 take over.

But it is looking more unlikely as Mnangagwa looks set to try and hold onto power despite his disclaimers for respecting the national constitution which says he is out of the 2028 race.

Objectively, there is no way that Zanu-PF apparatchiks can continue with the 2030 war cry if ED himself decisively stamps out the movement.

ED is known as a Machiavelli and a political chess grandmaster who is always several moves ahead of the apparent game on the board.

Therefore as observers we are left to conclude that in public the president is speaking from the right side of his mouth, while in private the left side is agitating for the 2030 movement.

As observers, we can only question whether he wants to remain in power himself or he is staging a magician’s trick to flush out powerful rivals so he can eliminate them to pave way for his chosen successor?

Could he be keeping a Putin in the background, an apparently unknown soldier, real or symbolic, who will seemingly rise from nowhere to number one?

Keeping to the army theme, there is former CDF Phllip Valerio Sibanda whose incorporation into the Zanu-Pf Politburo while still a serving soldier has raised many questions. His name has been thrown into the hat as a potential successor.

PV is known as a steel in velvet glove leader, suave but tough. His role in 2017 and other events that came after, puts him in the centre of power and his allegiance, to himself or another, will definitely matter in the succession matrix.

Then there is Christopher Mutsvangwa another Soko son. The party spokesperson who was unceremoniously disrobed of his War Vets Ministry leadership is known for his stubbornness, arrogance and gross overestimation of his own capacity.

Having touted himself as the pivotal player in the ouster of Robert Mugabe and given his close connections to China, Zimbabwe’s most important international ally, Mutsvangwa may harbour delusions of grandeur.

Former party commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere seems to still believe that in spite of losing his right to contesting in the 2023 general election on a technicality, he still has enough sway to ride back into Zanu-Pf supremacy.

Many people believe that his 2023 foray was sponsored by party insiders who pay lip service to ED control but in reality view him as dangerous.

Another option being thrown around in kombi talk and bar discussion is that of a Mnangagwa dynasty.

Auxillia Mnangagwa has shown a disturbing tendency to control matters that should be outside her purview of a non-political office as first lady.

First of all she has captured state media demanding dedicated coverage. She also had a budget vote allocated to her in Mthuli Ncube’s 2023 presentation. This was the first time this has happened since 1980 and many people have questioned the constitutionality of this move.

In addition the Auxillia Mnangagwa has been quoted as discussing national MoUs with foreign heads of state, which has again raised the question as to whether she is now a de facto vice president, rather than a first lady merely involved in innocuous charity work and other presidential partner side shows.

The appointment of Mnangagwa’s son and nephew into vice-ministerial posts has also raised speculation that they are being set up for high office.

Mnangagwa’s sons Collins and Emmerson Jr are now known in street lingo as the “Terrible Twins” based on rumours of their alleged involvement in questionable business transactions.

Another son in the army has also seen accelerated promotion, adding weight to the argument of those saying that Zimbabwe is being turned into a Mnangagwa family concern.

Other players being thrown in the field of play include Defence minister, Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, and Party chief whip, Pupurai Togarepi another Mhofu.

There are also many whispers about many other playing it safe in the shadows while keenly watching for a chance to strike.

Many predictions and truths abound at the moment. But the only fact is that no one, not even ED himself can predict how the script will play out.