“Shake the Baobab, Face the CONSEQUENCES”: Generals Threaten Mnangagwa’s Regime Over Power Grab, Hinting at Potential Military Intervention

HARARE – In the high-stakes theatre of Zimbabwean politics, the baobab tree has long stood as a silent witness to the rise and fall of regimes. Known for its massive girth and deep-rooted resilience, it is the ultimate symbol of endurance. Yet, when a powerful group of retired army generals and senior civil servants recently chose this ancient icon to frame their latest warning, the message was anything but silent. Their “Baobab” statement, issued in the wake of escalating public insults from former legislator Temba Mliswa, marks a seismic shift in the political landscape of a nation already on edge.

For decades, the military has functioned as the invisible backbone of the ruling Zanu PF party. The mantra “once a soldier, always a soldier” was never just a slogan; it was a governing principle. However, this latest correspondence suggests that the veterans are now using that very principle to draw a line in the sand. Investigative details reveal a growing disillusionment within the old guard, who perceive a systematic trivialisation of the liberation struggle and a blatant disrespect for the hierarchy that installed the current administration during the 2017 transition.

At the heart of this confrontation is the “2030 plot”—a controversial proposal to amend the Constitution to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure by two years. While the President’s allies in the “New Dispensation” have been vocal in their support, the retired generals have made it clear that they view such a move as a “constitutional coup.” This tension reached a boiling point when the veterans, led by retired Air Marshal Henry Muchena, submitted a formal report to Parliament criticising the Constitutional Amendment Bill.

The reaction from the New Dispensation’s supporters was swift and vitriolic. Temba Mliswa, acting as a self-appointed defender of the President, launched a series of scathing attacks on social media. He accused the retired commanders of disrespecting the President and even suggested their opposition bordered on treason. Mliswa’s public outbursts against Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, the man widely seen as the military’s standard-bearer in the presidium, acted as the final catalyst for the generals’ rare public intervention.

In a strongly worded response that has left the political establishment reeling, Air Marshal Muchena did not mince his words. Addressing Mliswa’s allegations of treason, he stated:

“You have threatened us with charges of treason for making a formal written submission in terms of the Constitution, following a very public call by the Clerk of Parliament. We do not take that lightly, and we advise you not to repeat it ever. We take the greatest exception to your tone and to your threats. We will not take that lying down. When you shake the baobab, be certain you can withstand what falls from it.”

This metaphor—the shaking of the baobab—is a coded warning to the New Dispensation. It suggests that while the generals may be retired from active service, their roots remain deep within the Zimbabwean state. They are reminding the current leadership that retirement does not equate to irrelevance. Muchena’s response further dismissed Mliswa’s claims as “constitutionally illiterate” and described the attempt to link the generals’ stance to “bitterness born of unemployment” as “beneath contempt.”

The friction is not merely between individuals; it is a generational and institutional clash. On one side stands the old guard, the veterans of the 1970s liberation war who believe they are the ultimate custodians of the Zimbabwean state. On the other side is the “Green Bombers” generation—the younger National Youth Service graduates and the Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ) members who have become the New Dispensation’s primary tool for political mobilisation.

Internal intelligence reports suggest that this group of retirees still commands significant loyalty within the active barracks. This makes their “warning” a potential precursor to a broader political realignment before the next electoral cycle. The veterans feel increasingly sidelined by parallel structures like FAZ, which managed the 2023 elections and appeared to bypass the traditional military influence.

“Where do you get off addressing retired generals and senior civil servants who gave their lives for the freedom you abuse now?” Muchena queried in his statement. He pointed out that Mliswa, who is not even a member of Zanu PF, was advancing narrow personal interests. “The only interests that must stand supreme are the interests of the Zimbabwean people, not those of individuals or certain Zviganandas,” Muchena added, using a derogatory term for the nouveau riche who have flourished under the current administration.

The timing of this intervention is critical. Zimbabwe is currently grappling with a series of internal crises that have strained the ruling party’s unity. In October 2025, reports surfaced that Vice President Chiwenga had accused the President’s allies of looting 3.2 billion US dollars from party coffers, demanding immediate arrests. This was followed by Mliswa’s threats of a Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) probe into Chiwenga and Presidential spokesperson George Charamba over alleged land disputes.

These incidents are part of a larger pattern of hostility. A 25-page rebuttal by President Mnangagwa to a corruption dossier submitted by Chiwenga in late 2025 laid bare a relationship laced with political insults and institutional rivalry. The retired generals see these attacks on Chiwenga as an attack on the military institution itself. By breaking their silence, they are attempting to protect the party from what they perceive as an internal collapse driven by greed and a lack of ideological grounding.

The following table summarises the key points of contention between the Retired Generals and the New Dispensation:

The “Baobab Warning” is more than just a rebuke of a single politician; it is a declaration of intent. The retired generals are signaling that they will no longer remain passive as the party they built is reshaped in a way that excludes them. They are asserting their right to participate in the constitutional process, not as “bitter” retirees, but as the founders of the nation.

As the 2028 election approaches, the question remains whether the New Dispensation will heed the warning or continue to “shake the baobab.” If the latter, the consequences could be dire for the stability of Zanu PF. The veterans have made it clear: they will not take threats lying down. Their loyalty to the party is secondary only to their loyalty to the liberation struggle, and if they believe the party is collapsing from within, they may feel duty-bound to intervene once again.

In the corridors of power in Harare, the rustling of the baobab leaves is being heard clearly. The retired generals have spoken, and their words carry the weight of history and the silent support of the barracks. Whether this leads to a genuine internal dialogue or a further hardening of factions will determine the future of Zimbabwe’s oldest political institution. For now, the message is simple: respect the hierarchy, honour the struggle, and do not mistake silence for weakness.

The story of the Baobab Warning is still being written, but its opening chapters have already changed the rules of the game. As investigative journalist Nqobani Ndlovu noted in a recent report, the “war of words” has escalated into a battle for the very soul of the ruling party. In this battle, the retired generals have chosen their ground, and they are standing firm.

“We wore the uniform when it was not fashionable to do so,” Muchena reminded his detractors. It is a sentiment that resonates deeply within the military establishment, both retired and active. In a country where the gun has always led the politics, the voice of those who once held the gun cannot be ignored. The Baobab Warning is a reminder that in Zimbabwe, some roots are too deep to be pulled out, and some trees are too strong to be shaken without consequence.

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