harare24dmin The succession question within ZANU-PF isn’t just a party issue it’s a matter of national interest. Whether one supports the ruling party or not, its internal dynamics have direct implications for Zimbabwe’s political stability, economic trajectory, and governance. That’s why even opposition figures like Tendai Biti find themselves compelled to comment on ZANU-PF’s future leadership, despite rarely offering similar scrutiny about succession within their own ranks.
Let’s be honest: ZANU-PF is an ever-present force in our political discourse. Even those who claim to be indifferent end up discussing its affairs, often with surprising detail. It has a gravitational pull in our national conversation, and its elective congress in 2027 is already stirring up speculation and intrigue across all sectors of society.
The big question hanging over the 2027 Congress is whether Resolution 1—the declaration that President Mnangagwa would serve until 2030—will be honored. Will the President step aside , or will the persuaders carry the day ?
Culturally, we say baba havagarwi nhaka vari vapenyu a father’s inheritance isn’t contested while he is still alive. Yet, as Zimbabweans, we can’t help but indulge in succession talk. It’s in our DNA to speculate, analyze, and theorize, tinoda zvinhu kunge ma paperbag.
The current political rumor mill has no shortage of names being floated. Businessman Kuda Tagwirei’s name pops up, wese arikuda ku sounder knowledgeable anongoti Tagwirei. Others point to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, some say General Valerio Sibanda. Temba Mliswa said July Moyo is interested or something of that sort. Others say Chris Mutsvangwa is the dark horse lurking in the shadows. Some say Mthuli Ncube, some are saying Oppah is the one. At this rate, even Nelson Chamisa could be tossed into the mix by overly clueless and enthusiastic analysts.
Most of these potential candidates remain silent on the issue. Mature politicians know how to handle these issues. But one man has broken ranks: Kembo Mohadi. He has openly expressed interest in the top job, a rare move in a political culture where ambition is usually masked until the eleventh hour. Mohadi even revealed a candid conversation with President Mnangagwa, who reportedly told him that to qualify for the presidency, one must endure the same trials he faced—surviving interface rallies, poisoning attempts, and even border-jumping. In other words, walking in ED’s political shoes.
Of course, political jabs are part of the game. Tendai Biti’s comments on Tagwirei are likely colored by Biti’s grudge against Tagwirei which stems from past tensions during Biti’s time as Finance Minister. Biti has gone out of his way to tarnish Tagwirei through any platform at his disposal. But even with his inside experience as a Minister, Biti knows just as little about ZANU-PF succession as the rest of us.
That’s the paradox: ZANU-PF succession remains an enigma, tightly controlled and fiercely internal. Outsiders can analyze, speculate, or throw shade—but the truth is, none of us really know what’s going on behind the curtain. And that, perhaps, is exactly how the party wants it.
One thing is clear: whatever happens in ZANU-PF will reverberate across the nation. Succession isn’t just ZANU-PF business. It’s NATIONAL BUSINESS because ZANU PF is a national party a custodian of the nation’s past and future.
