President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s nephew, Pearson Mbalekwa, has been expelled from the ruling ZANU-PF following internal disagreements linked to controversial constitutional amendment proposals.
Sources familiar with the matter exclusively told Nehanda Radio that Mbalekwa, a former officer in Zimbabwe’s Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), had repeatedly refused to support constitutional changes being promoted within the party by allies of his uncle.
The disciplinary process that led to his dismissal was allegedly driven by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who also serves as ZANU-PF Secretary for Legal Affairs. Party insiders described the proceedings as a predetermined exercise designed to secure Mbalekwa’s removal.
A ZANU-PF Provincial Disciplinary Committee appointed by senior party figures July Moyo and Owen Ncube reportedly recommended that Mbalekwa be expelled from the ruling party.
According to a disciplinary letter seen by Nehanda Radio, the committee accused Mbalekwa of refusing to align himself with the province’s “ethos, principles, conduct and aspirations.”
Sources within the party believe the allegations were linked to his refusal to support or chant slogans promoting the “2030 VaMnangagwa vanenge vachitonga” agenda, a campaign advocating for President Mnangagwa to remain in power beyond his current constitutional term limits.
The disciplinary proceedings were chaired by Lewis Matutu. Other committee members included Maud Ngwenya, Cornelius Mupereri, Mazivazvose and Maxwell Mataranyika.
According to sources, the decision to expel him has already been endorsed by the ZANU-PF Politburo, the party’s highest decision-making body.
Mbalekwa, once regarded as one of Mnangagwa’s trusted security associates, is said to have privately distanced himself from what he called “ridiculous things” taking place within the party.
His political and security background stretches back decades. During the liberation struggle era, Mbalekwa lived with Mnangagwa in Zambia and served in the Zambian military before returning to Zimbabwe after independence.
He later joined the CIO, then headed by Mnangagwa, and was deployed to several assignments, including work connected to Zimbabwe’s operations in Mozambique against RENAMO insurgents. He also served at Zimbabwe’s embassy in Kenya.
Sources familiar with his career say he played an important role in persuading RENAMO members to support peace negotiations, a process that eventually contributed to political stability in Mozambique.
After transitioning into politics, Mbalekwa became a ZANU-PF Member of Parliament. However, during the final years of former President Robert Mugabe’s rule, he was expelled from the party after openly urging Mugabe to step aside and allow political renewal.
Following his fallout with ZANU-PF at the time, Mbalekwa later worked as a security adviser to late opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai before rejoining the ruling party after Mnangagwa assumed power in 2017.
He subsequently served as head of investigations in the Special Anti-Corruption Unit operating from the President’s Office.
However, he later resigned from the position, reportedly frustrated by what he believed was selective prosecution and political protection for some individuals accused of corruption.
In recent years, tensions between Mbalekwa and ZANU-PF structures in Midlands province are understood to have intensified after he refused to participate in chants promoting the party’s controversial “2030” campaign slogans.
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