HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismissed another key political ally of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga from Zanu PF’s top administrative structures, in what observers see as a deepening internal power struggle ahead of the ruling party’s annual conference in Mutare next week.
According to an official termination letter dated 9 October 2025 and signed by Zanu PF Secretary-General Advocate Jacob Mudenda, Retired Brigadier-General Ezekiel Zabanyana has been relieved of his duties as the Zanu PF Director-General with immediate effect.
The letter, addressed to Zabanyana, stated that the decision was made under the direction of “His Excellency, the President and First Secretary of the Party,” and expressed gratitude for his service while instructing him to liaise with the Treasurer-General regarding terminal benefits.
“Meanwhile, the Party tenders its gratitude for all your rendered services and wishes you well in your future endeavours in life.
“Accordingly, the Treasurer General will compute your terminal benefits. Please liaise with the Treasurer General’s office for any queries that you might have,” read part of the letter.
Zabanyana’s removal comes just weeks after Mnangagwa dismissed former party Secretary-General Obert Mpofu, replacing him with Mudenda in a wider restructuring of the party’s Politburo.
The latest development highlights growing tensions between Mnangagwa and his deputy, Chiwenga, amid reports of sharp divisions over the 2030 political agenda, succession dynamics, and corruption concerns.
Sources within the party say the two leaders clashed during a recent Politburo meeting, where Chiwenga reportedly challenged Mnangagwa’s leadership direction, his connection with corrupt individuals and political ambitions.
During the meeting, Chiwenga reportedly tabled a damning dossier exposing Mnangagwa’s controversial business allies in massive corruption scandals. The individuals included Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Paul Tungwarara and Wicknell Chivayo.
Mnangagwa, whose term of office is supposed to end in 2028, has reportedly anointed Tagwirei as his successor, sidelining Chiwenga, a former army general who has been considered a frontrunner in the succession race since 2017.
The internal struggles ,factional battles in ZANUPF just like the coup in 2017 has nothing to do with SERVICE to Zimbabweans but about WHO EATS!Until Zimbabwean leaders start serving people will we see change. When ED was dishing Ford Rangers to the army Gwanda Government hospital was asking for donations to feed patients in hospitals. Even if you love or hate ZANUPF ,love or hate CCC ,love or hate Tshabangu, sanity should tell us this is wrong! Right now children study under bad buildings in rural areas but money for cars aplenty.That cant be right