DEFENCE minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has struck a defiant tone as she complained about political opponents and cyber-bullies saying they are attacking her children and that of other ministers for supporting President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s continued stay in power.
Muchinguri-Kashiri, who is also the Zanu PF chairperson, said she would not be silenced by some social media users who were allegedly attacking her family.
She said her family’s privacy had been invaded after she told a gathering at a national prayer day in Mutare a week ago that Mnangagwa remains the country’s best foot forward.
In an exclusive interview with NewsDay, Muchinguri-Kashiri said she was not in the habit of responding to social media trolls until recently when they targeted her children.
“Well, you have never seen me responding to trivial things on social media,” she said.
“We have important things to do, which include developing our country and we are busy preparing for the annual conference in Mutare, but on this one let me respond.”
Zanu PF holds its annual conference next week.
“Why involve our children in Zanu PF matters? I think those people are high on drugs,” she said.
“Social media is being used as weapons by our enemies; people are going to social media to fight, but honestly why involve our children?
“They should attack the mother, not my daughter. They want to silence me, but they will not silence me.
“My daughter is well groomed. She knows what is right and wrong.
“I have since told some of my fellow ministers that they should be on guard because people have turned evil out there, targeting our children.
“(Our children) can be drugged, in fact, we have said they should limit going out.”
Muchinguri-Kashiri described cyber-bullies as “lazy people”.
“President Mnangagwa has said he does not like lazy people and these are people we are seeing on social media,” she said.
“They are lazy and high on drugs.”
Muchinguri-Kashiri’s response comes after one of her children was accused of running an underground criminal network.
Zanu PF is torn apart by factionalism linked to Mnangagwa’s succession.
Mnangagwa’s term of office constitutionally expires in 2028, but his loyalists want it to be extended to 2030.
The President has previously stated that he is a constitutionalist and does not intend to extend his term of office.
Muchinguri-Kashiri said Zanu PF members were united in support of the party leadership.
“There is unity in Zanu PF. The leadership is united,” she added.
Political analyst Tatenda Chakari said Muchinguri-Kashiri was justified to complain about her children being targeted by her opponents for her political beliefs.
“Muchinguri-Kashiri is entitled to her political opinions. Her daughter is a private individual, who deserves respect and protection from unfounded allegations,” he said.
“Dragging her daughter into the public sphere with unsubstantiated claims is unacceptable and undermines the principles of democracy.
“Political disagreements should focus on policies and ideas, not personal attacks on family members who are not public figures.”
Added Chakari: “Let’s maintain a level of dignity and respect in our discourse and refrain from using personal attacks to score political points.”
Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya said Muchinguri-Kashiri’s fears were justified.
“Muchinguri is a first generation nationalist,” he said.
“She knows that Zanu PF survives on vengeance and revenge and this is why they have been able to keep power.”
Zanu PF politics in Manicaland has shown signs of internal conflict and power struggles, with recent developments highlighting factional tensions within the province.
While local structures have publicly voiced support for Mnangagwa and his agenda, reports suggest underlying friction over control and the influence of unofficial party affiliates.
Mid this year, there were reports of growing divisions within Zanu PF in the province, with some party loyalists expressing frustration that certain individuals were using their connections to advance personal interests.
The influence of unofficial groups was also identified as a key element of the political tensions in the province.
Groups such as Boys DzaMudhara have declared allegiance to Zanu PF, but are suspected to be operating outside official party channels to influence political outcomes.
In August this year, provincial chairperson Tapiwa Mukodza warned party members to be wary of elements using such networks to disrupt party unity.
There has also been the issue of contested leadership in the province.
Tensions were evident in the June 2025 elections for the provincial women’s league chair.
While Dorothy Mabika was eventually elected, the polls followed a tense period where high-ranking politburo members Patrick Chinamasa and Mabel Chinomona reportedly clashed over their preferred candidates.
After Mabika’s victory, national political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha called for unity, emphasising that there should be no “parallel programmes” within the party, a sign of underlying friction during the campaign.
The post Zimbabwe Defence Minister Reels under Zanu PF Infighting first appeared on The Zimbabwe Mail.