General Chiwenga’s strong warning sparks panic in Zanu PF and fuels succession speculation

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s recent fiery speeches targeting corrupt “tendepreneurs,” many of whom are allegedly using their political connections to amass vast wealth, are causing unease within Zanu PF, as speculation mounts regarding his ultimate intentions.

Chiwenga’s recent appearances, including his role as guest of honour at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) congress in Victoria Falls and at the launch of former top civil servant Andries Rukobo’s autobiography, have been used as platforms to warn those flaunting unexplained wealth that their “day of reckoning” is approaching.

Earlier this year, the former army commander, who led the 2017 coup that ousted long-time ruler Robert Mugabe, citing the influence of “criminals” surrounding the late president, also lashed out at what he termed “zvigananda.”

“Zvigananda,” a Shona word for blood-sucking ticks, was used by the VP in a speech at the burial of national hero Justin Mupamhanga to refer to individuals who exploit their political connections to secure multi-million dollar government contracts.

Over the past eight years, a number of businesspeople have accumulated significant unexplained wealth, which they have often used to fund Zanu PF activities. The influence of these individuals has become a contentious issue in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s succession debate.

A group of war veterans, led by dismissed Zanu PF central committee member Blessed Geza, launched a vocal campaign earlier this year calling for the ruling party leader’s resignation, accusing him of failing to tackle corruption effectively. Geza also singled out several businessmen, some with close ties to Mnangagwa, as “zviganandas.”

Zanu PF sources have indicated that there is growing unease within the ruling party as the targets of Chiwenga’s speeches become increasingly clear.

Businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, now considered by some as a potential Mnangagwa successor being propped up to sideline Chiwenga, was recently compelled to respond to allegations of corruption. He claimed that the term “tenderpreneur” was “coined by white people to discourage blacks from gaining access to business from government.”

Robert Masaraure, a prominent activist and member of the National Transitional Authority steering committee, expressed support for Chiwenga’s stance on corruption. “We salute the bold stance being taken by Chiwenga on the critical question of corruption. However, his voice resonates with the noise made by the Lacoste faction against the G40 cabal ahead of the removal of the late president Robert Mugabe from office,” Masaraure said. He added that, “It is now clear that if Chiwenga’s anti-corruption crusade is going to bring results, state institutions have to be reformed.”

Politician Jealous Mawarire stated that corruption is now endemic in Zimbabwe. “It needs military precision, strength and pragmatism to eradicate it and VP Chiwenga, like the late Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings in Ghana, has the imperative task of correcting the wrongs inflicted by his comrades,” Mawarire said. “It’s his duty to put an end to the madness and the kind of political jackals that this administration has been breeding and brooding do not need some lily-livered exterminator to issue a writ and stop the rot. We need a strong man to put these jackals down and free the masses.”

Political analyst Sudick Muradzikwa believes that Chiwenga’s anti-corruption stance is a cautionary sign amidst a deepening political crisis. “So, it’s a double edged sword that Chiwenga is giving, one to those who are corrupt,” he said. “So, he’s indicating that he might be the leadership that we want in the future. He is actually not only responding to corruption, he is also explaining a clear political message to the president and those who are in support of the current.”

Political analyst Vivid Gwede argued that Chiwenga’s anti-corruption stance has taken on a factional dimension. “There is a circle of people around the current president, which is believed to be corrupt and getting more powerful,” Gwede said. “The vice-president belongs to voices that have been opposed to this group. Zimbabweans would be glad to have corruption genuinely dealt with given its detrimental effects on the economy and society.”

However, analyst Rejoice Ngwenya offered a different perspective. “I consider this populist because just talking about it without action is rhetoric,” Ngwenya said. “Chiwenga likes playing to the gallery, presenting this ‘holier than them’ image. It’s a false narrative, almost delusional that a man who tolerates Mnangagwa shenanigans can preach anti-corruption.”

McDonald Lewanika, a Harare-based political analyst, echoed the sentiment that Chiwenga’s anti-corruption stance would be meaningless without concrete action. “Vice-President Chiwenga’s rhetoric on corruption has been consistent and is indicative of what seems to be his personal abhorrence of graft,” Lewanika said. “However, his words remain rhetoric as he or his government have done little to deal with “unscrupulous businessman”, and graft seems to proceed unchecked and suspected perpetrators, celebrated including by his party and government.”

As Chiwenga’s rhetoric intensifies, the question remains whether his words will translate into tangible action against corruption, or whether they are merely a strategic manoeuvre in the ongoing power struggles within Zanu PF.

Follow @MyZimbabweNews