Corruption scandals and power struggles threaten to destroy ruling Zanu-PF

Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu-PF, is embroiled in a deepening crisis, with corruption scandals and factional infighting threatening to tear the party apart.

The crisis within Zanu-PF comes as the party faces intense scrutiny over corruption scandals, including the US$40 million Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) scandal featuring President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ally Wicknell Chivayo.

A few weeks ago, audios emerged where Chivayo, an ex-convict, was heard telling his erstwhile business associates that he had captured the President.

The President is also being linked to the US$88 million Presidential Goat Scheme, which has already seen his other business allies Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu being arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).

Mpofu, the owner of Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming, and Mike Chimombe, an agent of Milltake Enterprises, appeared in the Harare Magistrates Court on Wednesday, facing charges related to the goat corruption scandal.

ZACC alleges that Mpofu’s company received US$40 million to supply 6,000 goats to the Ministry of Agriculture over five years, but failed to deliver the full quantity before the contract was terminated.

However, Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming has disputed these allegations, stating that they only received US$4 million (RTGS1.6 billion) and not US$40 million as claimed.

Additionally, the company clarified that Chimombe was not a principal in the deal, as he is neither a shareholder nor a director of Blackdeck. Instead, Chimombe was one of five agents engaged by Blackdeck to supply goats after the contract was signed.

The two accused are facing charges under the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act. The case is ongoing, with the court set to hear further evidence and determine the outcome.

Former cabinet Minister, Walter Mzembi, has accused the party of being “caught between a rock and a hard place,” with its mantra against “criminals surrounding the President” now haunting Mnangagwa.

Mzembi suggests that the party’s failure to address corruption and factionalism may lead to a crisis exceeding the proportions of the Willowgate scandal.

As the party struggles to contain the fallout from the corruption scandals, Mnangagwa’s plan to extend his term of office beyond 2028 has sparked intense debate.

The President’s supporters argue that the move is necessary to ensure stability and continuity, while opponents see it as a power grab that undermines the country’s constitutional limits.

“A fortnight ago, the Zanu-PF Politburo met amidst the breaking out of the US$40m Zecgate scandal , contrary to social media reports suggesting a discussion of the matter, nothing was said nor raised, understandably so because a full expose and forensic audit of Zecgate threatens the very existence of Zanu-PF itself given the intractable involvement of officialdom in this saga,” the former Tourism Minister said.

“Zanu-PF is caught between a rock and a hard place , its mantra against ” criminals surrounding the President ” referring to the Military ‘s decision to stand down Robert Mugabe from the office of President has come round 360° in the prophetic 7 years to haunt the man who benefited from his boss’s demise, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, only this time he appears to be surrounding the criminals himself! What happens next then going by the November 2017 standards?”

The latest developments come as Mnangagwa ordered a controversial “restructuring exercise” aimed at consolidating his power within the party.

The move is seen as a bid to eliminate opposition and pave the way for Mnangagwa’s potential term extension beyond 2028. However, the plan is facing fierce resistance from his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, a section of the military, and other senior party officials.

It is alleged that Chiwenga and his faction have devised a strategy to confront Mnangagwa over his links to individuals accused of corruption.

According to sources within the party, this move is expected to provide a platform for Mnangagwa’s opponents to challenge his bid to extend his rule beyond 2028.