VP Chiwenga and Miniyothabo Baloyi Set for Lavish White Wedding, Guest List Sparks Factionalism Speculations
In a highly anticipated event, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and his wife, Miniyothabo Baloyi, are preparing to celebrate their union with a grand white wedding next month.
According to The Standard, the guest list for the opulent affair is already causing a stir, with speculations emerging about its reflection of factionalism within the ruling party, ZANU PF.
The 67-year-old former army commander and his soldier wife captured public attention last year when they had a traditional wedding, and images from the ceremony became the talk of the town. The news of Chiwenga’s engagement to Baloyi first surfaced in June of the same year, during the census period.
During an interview with a Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency enumerator, Chiwenga inadvertently revealed his marital status when he referred to Baloyi as his spouse. This candid admission shed light on their relationship, indicating that they had been living together. The exact timeline of their living arrangement remains undisclosed, but it is believed to have followed Chiwenga’s acrimonious divorce from former model Marry Mubaiwa.
Chiwenga finalized his divorce from Mubaiwa in 2019 by paying a customary token of US$100, which was handed over to her by Zimbabwe National Army commander Anselem Sanyatwe, according to court records. Sanyatwe, who was the commander of the Presidential Guard at the time, had been involved in the deployment of military units that were implicated in the fatal shooting of approximately six civilians during the August 1, 2018 protests.
Sources close to the couple have revealed that preparations are underway for their upcoming white wedding, scheduled to take place on December 23. Invitations have already been sent out, predominantly to their close allies in the realms of business, politics, and the military. The exclusivity of the event is emphasized, with attendance strictly limited to those who have received invitations.
While the guest list prioritizes prominent figures from the business community, the involvement of ZANU PF officials remains uncertain. The wedding has been shrouded in secrecy, with only a select few privy to the details. Some high-ranking ZANU PF officials claim to be unaware of the forthcoming celebration, indicating the possibility of factional divisions within the party.
Farai Marapira, the spokesperson for ZANU PF, professed ignorance when questioned by The Standard about the wedding, further highlighting the lack of clarity surrounding the event. Persistent reports of factional tensions between camps loyal to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice-President Chiwenga have fuelled speculation about the significance of the guest list in relation to these internal power struggles.
Miniyothabo Baloyi, a highly accomplished individual with a PhD in Business Studies from Midlands State University and two master’s degrees from the University of Zimbabwe and Midlands State University, hails from Nkayi in Matabeleland North. She possesses an impressive linguistic repertoire, fluent in six languages including Chinese Mandarin, French, and Zulu. Baloyi runs Kolamminnie Pvt Ltd T/A Style By Minnie, a successful high-end boutique business based in Harare.
Chiwenga’s union with Baloyi marks his third marriage in the past 15 years, following his well-publicized divorces from Marry Mubaiwa and Jocelyn Mauchaza. Mubaiwa, with whom Chiwenga shares three children, has faced legal troubles, including charges of forging Chiwenga’s signature on their marriage certificate, as well as allegations of attempted murder, fraud, and money laundering.
As the date of Vice-President Chiwenga and Miniyothabo Baloyi’s white wedding approaches, all eyes are on the lavish ceremony, which promises to be a glittering affair. The guest list continues to fuel speculation about the intricate dynamics of ZANU PF politics, leaving many intrigued about the underlying implications of this union within the corridors of power.
