Chiwenga Confronts Hostilities at Zanu PF Conference Amid Anti-Corruption Crusade
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga braved a storm of internal party hostilities during his address at Zanu PF’s annual people’s conference in Mutare yesterday, delivering a forceful condemnation of corruption that has shaken the ruling party’s upper echelons. The former army general, who serves as the party’s second secretary, directly challenged what he described as “zvigananda” – corrupt individuals feeding from the public trough while ordinary Zimbabweans suffer – despite facing significant backlash from senior party figures in recent weeks.
The conference, held under the theme “Attainment of Vision 2030 Through Economic Empowerment and Value Addition,” became the stage for a dramatic confrontation within Zimbabwe’s ruling party, with Chiwenga reportedly having presented a dossier to the Zanu PF politburo identifying specific individuals as corrupt and demanding their immediate arrest. This bold move has exposed deep divisions within the party and highlighted the ongoing power struggles as the nation grapples with economic challenges and governance issues.
Mounting Hostilities and Internal Party Conflict
Chiwenga’s anti-corruption stance has triggered significant backlash from within his own party, revealing the complex political dynamics that continue to shape Zimbabwe’s political landscape. According to reports from NewsDay, the Vice President has faced coordinated attacks from senior party officials, including Zanu PF national secretary for legal affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi, who presented a rebuttal document to the politburo earlier this week challenging Chiwenga’s allegations.
The tensions escalated further when party national spokesperson and presidential aspirant Christopher Mutsvangwa joined the fray, launching additional attacks against Chiwenga during a press conference held at the party headquarters in Harare. These coordinated responses suggest deep-seated resistance to Chiwenga’s anti-corruption campaign from powerful factions within Zanu PF, raising questions about the sustainability of his reform agenda and the balance of power within the ruling party.
“Chiwenga has been under attack for constantly calling out corruption in the country, denouncing and identifying several individuals he labelled zvigananda accusing them of feeding off the trough while the majority of Zimbabweans were suffering,” the report noted, highlighting the political courage required to maintain such a stance amid growing internal opposition.
The public nature of these internal conflicts represents a significant departure from the party’s traditional preference for resolving disputes behind closed doors, indicating both the seriousness of the allegations and the high stakes involved for all parties. As reported by various Zimbabwe news outlets, the confrontation reflects broader tensions within Zanu PF as the party navigates economic challenges and prepares for future political transitions.
Vision 2030 and the Anti-Corruption Agenda
Despite the hostilities, Chiwenga remained resolute in his conference address, framing his anti-corruption campaign within the broader context of Zimbabwe’s development objectives. Citing the conference theme focused on achieving Vision 2030 through economic empowerment, the Vice President articulated a vision of economic transformation that benefits all Zimbabweans rather than a privileged few. His message emphasized the fundamental connection between combating corruption and achieving meaningful economic development.
“Economic empowerment must be genuine — equipping all our people with the means to produce, innovate and own their destiny. That is the essence of Vision 2030 and that is the essence of revolutionary continuity,” Chiwenga told conference attendees, positioning his anti-corruption drive as essential to the nation’s developmental aspirations.
The Vice President’s remarks highlighted the contradiction between Zanu PF’s revolutionary origins and the current reality of corruption within the party and government structures. He invoked the spirit of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, suggesting that the sacrifices made by previous generations demanded greater integrity from current leaders. This rhetorical strategy effectively positioned his anti-corruption stance as consistent with, rather than opposed to, the party’s historical mission and ideological foundations.
Chiwenga’s emphasis on creating “a people-centred economy that empowers every Zimbabwean” represents a significant thematic evolution in Zanu PF’s political messaging, particularly coming from a figure with such strong military credentials. His insistence that “national wealth benefits all, not just a privileged few” directly challenges the economic inequalities that have persisted despite the party’s long tenure in power, suggesting a potential shift in the party’s approach to economic governance and resource distribution.
Historical Legacy and Moral Renewal
Throughout his address, Chiwenga repeatedly invoked the legacy of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, drawing direct connections between historical sacrifices and contemporary moral responsibilities. He framed corruption not merely as a political or economic issue, but as a fundamental betrayal of the values that animated the struggle for independence, creating a powerful moral framework for his anti-corruption campaign.
“Today, as we gather on this sacred ground, we are summoned by that same spirit, the spirit of endurance, honesty, unity and service. The fallen are watching us. Their blood demands integrity. Their voices cry out against corruption, laziness and moral decay,” Chiwenga declared, employing liberation war imagery to underscore the urgency of his message.
The Vice President’s characterization of the liberation struggle as “a collective mission in which the masses, that is, the people, youths, traditional leaders and children who all played a decisive role” served to emphasize the participatory nature of Zimbabwe’s historical transformation while implicitly criticizing the exclusive nature of current economic and political arrangements. His description of guerrilla warfare as “people’s warfare” where “every home was either a base, a place to eat or a where clothes were sewn; every family was part of the revolution” created a stark contrast with the perception that current benefits flow primarily to a connected elite.
Chiwenga’s assertion that “the same unity and singleness of purpose that drove our liberation struggle must now be the moral compass guiding us into the future” represents both a call for party cohesion and a subtle critique of those who have strayed from revolutionary principles. His concluding emphasis on moving forward “as one party, one people, one destiny — bound by a shared vision” attempts to reconcile his anti-corruption stance with party unity, though the recent hostilities suggest this reconciliation may prove challenging to achieve in practice.
The dramatic events at the Mutare conference highlight the complex political calculations underlying Zimbabwe’s governance challenges. Chiwenga’s decision to publicly confront corruption despite significant internal resistance demonstrates both the seriousness of the issue and the Vice President’s political positioning ahead of potential leadership transitions. As the situation continues to develop, the outcome of this internal struggle will likely have significant implications for Zimbabwe’s political future, economic development, and ongoing efforts to combat systemic corruption.
What remains clear is that Chiwenga’s anti-corruption campaign has triggered one of the most significant internal confrontations within Zanu PF in recent years, revealing both the depth of corruption challenges and the determination of some party leaders to address them. The resolution of this conflict will not only shape the party’s future direction but also determine Zimbabwe’s ability to achieve the economic transformation envisioned in its Vision 2030 agenda.
