Doctor’s appointment kept Chiwenga away from SONA: presidency 

HARARE – Vice President Constantino Chiwenga missed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address on Tuesday to keep a doctor’s appointment in South Africa, the presidency said on Thursday.

Chiwenga, 69, was conspicuous by his absence during the opening of the third session of the tenth parliament. The second vice president Kembo Mohadi was present.

In a terse response to a ZimLive enquiry, presidential spokesman George Charamba said: “The vice president had a medical review in South Africa.”

He is believed to have since returned to Zimbabwe.

Chiwenga’s last public engagement was on October 25, when he attended the 75th anniversary celebrations of St Luke’s Mission and St Luke’s Mission Hospital in Lupane, Matabeleland North, following a tour of development projects in Matabeleland South.

His absence at such a key national event had sent tongues wagging amid reports of a growing power struggle within Zanu PF.

Allies of Mnangagwa – led by controversial businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei – are said to be manoeuvring to have the former army commander jettisoned from the ruling party and government, effectively eliminating him from the succession contest.

Chiwenga is reportedly resisting attempts to extend Mnangagwa’s presidency beyond 2028, when his second and final term is due to end under the 2013 constitution – a stance that has put him at odds with powerful loyalists, some of whom privately nurse ambitions of their own.