Another Chiwenga Top Ally Fired – Eduzim News

By Political Reporter – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismissed yet another Zanu PF cadre aligned with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, intensifying the factional battles within the ruling party.

Benjamin Ganyiwa, the Member of Parliament for Gutu East Constituency, was issued a prohibition order this week, a move widely interpreted as part of Mnangagwa’s ongoing purge of Chiwenga loyalists in Masvingo Province.

This dismissal follows the suspension of Roy Bhila, the Zanu PF provincial finance secretary and Chiredzi North MP, who has also been accused of disloyalty.

Both incidents highlight the escalating rift between the two factions, with Masvingo Province emerging as a key battleground.

In a letter addressed to Ganyiwa, the Zanu PF Masvingo Provincial Disciplinary Committee accused him of treachery and causing division within the party.

Specific charges included hosting a secret meeting under the guise of a groundbreaking ceremony and failing to reprimand anti-leadership sentiments in a WhatsApp group he managed.

The letter invoked Article 37, Section 549 of the Zanu PF Constitution, alleging that Ganyiwa’s actions were disloyal and divisive.

Similarly, Roy Bhila was served a prohibition order on allegations of undermining the “ED2030 Agenda,” Mnangagwa’s vision for Zimbabwe’s development by 2030.

Bhila’s dissent became evident when he openly criticized land grabs by party officials during a Chiredzi council meeting, a stance that distanced him from the Mnangagwa-aligned faction.

Despite being one of Zanu PF’s top vote-getters in both the 2018 and 2023 elections, Bhila’s stance on corruption and his alignment with constitutional principles have made him a target.

Observers argue that his suspension is a warning to other party members who might challenge Mnangagwa’s authority.

Masvingo Province has long been regarded as a Chiwenga stronghold, with the Vice President enjoying significant grassroots support in the region.

However, pro-Mnangagwa officials, including Provincial Minister Ezra Chadzamira, have been working to consolidate power.

Chadzamira, a vocal supporter of the ED2030 Agenda, has been implicated in controversial land seizures, further fueling tensions within the province.

Bhila’s vocal opposition to these practices and his alignment with Chiwenga’s camp have made him a prime target in Mnangagwa’s factional purge.

The deepening rift between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga has been a defining feature of Zimbabwe’s political landscape since the 2017 military coup that ousted Robert Mugabe.

While the two leaders initially presented a united front, underlying power struggles have since surfaced, with both camps maneuvering to outflank the other.

Mnangagwa’s efforts to consolidate power have seen the systematic sidelining of Chiwenga allies, particularly in provincial structures like Masvingo.

Chiwenga, a former military commander who played a key role in Mnangagwa’s rise to power, has maintained a loyal base within the armed forces and certain rural constituencies.

These factional battles threaten to destabilize Zanu PF as the party prepares for its next elective congress.

Mnangagwa’s push to eliminate dissent risks alienating critical support bases, particularly in provinces like Masvingo, where Chiwenga’s influence remains strong.

Ganyiwa and Bhila’s dismissals are not just isolated disciplinary actions; they reflect a broader strategy by Mnangagwa to tighten his grip on the party.

However, these moves could backfire, further exposing cracks in Zanu PF’s unity and emboldening Chiwenga’s camp.
As the factional infighting continues to play out, the question remains: how long can Zanu PF maintain the facade of unity in the face of deepening divisions?

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