The investigation into the 2018 grenade attack allegedly targeting President Emmerson Mnangagwa has taken a surprising turn, with four Chinese investigators now reportedly involved in the case.
This development comes at a time when Mnangagwa is reportedly at odds with his Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga, amidst rising tensions within the ruling Zanu-PF party linked to the succession agenda.
According to ZimLive sources, a team of detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department revisited the crime scene on November 27, accompanied by four Chinese investigators.
The team encountered a brief standoff with security guards from the City of Bulawayo, who refused to let them into the stadium due to lack of prior clearance from City Hall.
The police team eventually gained access to the stadium, where the Chinese investigators spent two hours interviewing witnesses and taking notes.
The grenade attack, which occurred on June 23, 2018, during a Zanu-PF rally at White City Stadium in Bulawayo, killed two aides of Vice Presidents Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, and injured several others, including Mohadi and Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri.
Chiwenga’s former wife, Mary Mubaiwa, sustained injuries to her arms and legs in the attack. As a result of her injuries, she has undergone amputations, losing one arm and one leg.
The investigation has been ongoing for years, with Mnangagwa ordering police to finalise the probe in June. However, the initial investigation seemed to have stalled, with police developing a working theory that the grenade came from the military.
The involvement of Chinese investigators has raised eyebrows, particularly given the current tensions between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga.
Mnangagwa has previously suggested that loyalists of former President Robert Mugabe and his wife, Grace, were behind the attack.
However, the current power struggle within Zanu-PF is likely to create several conspiracy theories that may lead to a conclusion that the attack may have been an inside job.
The investigation is resuming at a time when there is escalating factionalism with Zanu-PF.
Mnangagwa is reportedly wanting to remain in power beyond the constitutionally mandated two-term limit. He is supposed to resign in 2028 according to reports indicating that he wants to amend the constitution to allow him to rule beyond 2028.
While he has publicly announced that he would not push for the extension of his reign, the President has failed to reprimand the Zanu-PF supporters, including the top cabinet officials, calling for him to stay until 2030.
Chiwenga, who wants to replace Mnangagwa, is reportedly prepared to resist any plans to extend Mnangagwa’s term.
