Source: Coup Accusations Rock ZANU-PF Politburo ⋆ Pindula News Share on Facebook President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his allies in the ZANU-PF Politburo have warned that a dossier presented by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to the Politburo on 17 September advocates the unlawful removal of a constitutionally elected president, a move they described as treasonous. Chiwenga’s […]
President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his allies in the ZANU-PF Politburo have warned that a dossier presented by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to the Politburo on 17 September advocates the unlawful removal of a constitutionally elected president, a move they described as treasonous.
Chiwenga’s document, which he submitted to Mnangagwa on 17 September, began by referencing the November 2017 military intervention that brought the pair to power.
He accused Mnangagwa’s close allies of “corruption, capture, and betrayal” of the ideals of the 2017 operation.
The vice president singled out four individuals, Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Wicknell Chivhayo, Scott Sakupwanya, and Delish Nguwaya, alleging that they used illicit funds to “bribe fellow comrades and party structures to gain support, protection, and influence.”
Chiwenga claimed they had “not only enriched themselves but are using their stolen wealth to capture the Party, manipulate state institutions, and compromise key officials.”
In response, a document authored by ZANU PF’s legal secretary, Ziyambi Ziyambi, and presented to the Politburo on Tuesday, 14 October, described Chiwenga’s dossier as “fundamentally flawed, treasonous, and showing a lack of understanding of party procedures and the national constitution.” Said Ziyambi:
“At its core, the document advocates for the unlawful removal of a constitutionally elected President, which is palpably treasonous.
“The document not only undermines the President but also the economy and individuals who work hard to support the Party.
“One wonders whether the placement under sanctions of some of these individuals was not a result of such reckless utterances.
“Such reckless utterances have cost our economy, His Excellency’s goodwill in the international fora, and individuals who have been unduly placed under sanctions, and in the end, no investor would want to invest in our country.
“What is equally troubling is how such a document found its way into the hands of hostile media houses across the country.
“The circumstances under which the author obtained access to the documents, now in the public domain, remain highly questionable and amount to a violation of the Official Secrets Act.
“The presentation bears a striking resemblance to the narratives perpetuated by Geza, Western media and all our detractors bent on undermining our sovereignty and constitutional order.
“Whilst the author castigates certain individuals, he has never castigated Geza, a rebel who was expelled from the Party and is bent on inciting chaos in the country.
“The Party remains committed to fostering an environment where constructive criticism and dissenting views are valued, but such views must be presented in a manner that is respectful, factually accurate, and in good faith.
“The author of the document does not understand the tenets of democracy and the difference between civilian and military conduct, which prompts a reorientation course at the Chitepo School of Ideology for the whole Politburo and Central Committee, on the Supremacy of the Party and basic tenets of democracy.
“The document’s intention is suspect, and its allegations are baseless and devoid of evidence.
“We are compelled to re-emphasise that any attempt to stage a coup, whether through treacherous acts, misrepresentation of facts, violation of others’ privacy, incitement of violence and despondency, or willful blindness to positive development, is a grave offence that undermines the stability and unity of our nation and should be liable to immediate censure.”
ZANU PF insiders who spoke to ZimLive said that Chiwenga also faced criticism from the party’s national chair, Oppah Muchinguri.
She reminded him that they had all fought in the liberation war, but their paths diverged at independence, with Chiwenga becoming a soldier while others entered government.
Muchinguri reportedly told Chiwenga, a retired commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, that there was “nothing special about coming from the barracks.”
ZANU PF legal secretary Patrick Chinamasa also reportedly criticised the vice president, saying his attacks on the Land Tenure Implementation Committee, led by Kudakwashe Tagwirei, overlooked the fact that “the president owns all land.”
In response, Chiwenga reportedly spoke briefly, but the room fell silent after he spoke. He reportedly said:
“I’ve listened to all your presentations and I’m convinced that all of you support zvigananda. It’s okay. I acknowledge it.”
