Remember what motivated the 2017 coup – says Vice President Chiwenga in chilling warning to Mnangagwa

VICE President Constantino Chiwenga has subtly warned President Emmerson Mnangagwa against political engineering to stay in power beyond the constitutionally mandated two-terms, in what is probably the former army general’s most chilling speech yet.

Chiwenga, who was speaking at the ongoing Zanu PF Annual National People’s Conference in Chinhoyi this Friday, warned delegates, some of whom are in support of keeping Mnangagwa not just beyond 2030 but until 2040, not to forget what principles motivated the Second Republic.

The Second Republic is a term referring to the regime that came after Chiwenga led a military takeover of power from the late Robert Mugabe who was ousted in November 2017.

Mnangagwa, then a returning Zanu PF castaway, was installed as President with the understanding that he would correct the wrongs committed by Mugabe and his close circle, the G40 faction.

“Let us not forget that the Second Republic was founded on the pursuit of renewal, reform and a results-based governance and national development,” said Chiwenga moments before he called on Mnangagwa to speak as guest of honour.

“Chii chakaita kuti 2nd Republic ivepo? Kwaive kugadzirisa zvakaipa zvanga zvichiitika mumashure, hatisi kudzokorora here kuita zvakambotadzwa?

“This beckons us to a brutal and honest self-appraisal. We must ask ourselves the difficult questions and confront uncomfortable realities. Are our resolutions truly coming from the people? Do our conferences authentically capture the voices of the grassroots? Do we truly understand the aspirations of our people? More importantly, how should we walk our talk this time around, to serve our people better?

“Our party belongs to the people, never to individuals. We must listen to them attentively; for they are the ones who entrusted us with this mandate. We must be willing to introspect and engage in self-criticism when confronted with divergent view-points. In the same vein, we must also handle contradictions constructively.”

Mnangagwa has surrounded himself with a cash-rich gang of Zanu PF’s young turks, which is resembling Mugabe’s G40 cabal. He has positioned them in key public offices.

Described as Zvigananda by Chiwenga, a term that refers to corrupt individuals who make money by abusing public funds, the group is headed by Mnangagwa’s close ally Kudakwashe Tagwirei with Paul Tungwarara, Pedzisayi ‘Scott’ Sakupwanya. The late Wicknell Chivayo, who died in a helicopter crash recently, was also a known member of the tightly-knit circle.

Tagwirei, who was railroaded into Zanu PF’s Central Committee, Cabinet and recently Politburo, is front runner for Mnangagwa’s seat upon his exit. Tungwarara (42) is Presidential Advisor while gold-magnate Sakupwanya (47) is a legislator.

Chiwenga, who is also eyeing Mnangagwa’s post, believes they have captured the State.

He warned against passing resolutions that do not benefit Zimbabweans but individuals seeking power for personal reasons, telling delegates to remember that they held public office to serve not be served.

“The strength of ZANU PF has always emanated from the people. Our party is a people’s party, forged through the sweat, toil and blood of the masses,” he added.

“The guiding principle of ‘Gutsaruzhinji’ must remain central to our collective comprehension of development and empowerment. We must continually measure whether our programmes, born from our resolutions are genuinely lifting livelihoods, addressing community needs, and generating sustainable value across the nation.

“The true value of a resolution lies entirely in its substance, implementation and its tangible impact on the lives of the people we represent and serve. That is the essence of Vision 2030.”

After forcing through Constitutional Amendment Act 3 (CAA3), a move Chiwenga was totally against, Zanu PF is now seeking to keep Mnangagwa beyond 2030.

Manouveres around him have been interpreted as means to shut him out.

“While change is inevitable, it must be orderly, anchored in our party structures and guided by our constitution. Change must be driven by the people not imposed from above.

“You may recall Your Excellency, that ‘the voice of the people is the voice of God,’ as such we must remain true to that promise and carry with us the voice of the people.

“Discipline, accountability and selfless service must define our trajectory, superceding disjointed or individualistic approaches. Mazvake mazvake haana kwaanotisvitsa. They undermine our collective purpose and cannot deliver the unity required for sustainable progress.

As we deliberate at this momentous conference, we must remember that we are merely temporary custodians of this vanguard Party, for our time on earth is finite, so what legacy are we leaving? We are here to serve the people, never to be served by them. The younger generation is watching our conduct with sharp attention.”

This is the first time Chiwenga has used a party platform to openly defy Mnangagwa and challenge his choices and aspirations of a presidency that goes against constitutional terms that were introduced in Zimbabwe’s 2013 constitution but are yet to be implemented.

“Our words must find full expressions in our actions, placing service above personal ambition and striving to leave ZANU-PF stronger than we found it.

“Our collective resolve to attain Vision 2030 must be to consolidate economic development, uplift the living standards of the people, and make them proud citizens of this country not hewers of wood and drawers of water, surviving from the benevolence of a privileged few,” he said, before calling Mnangagwa to the podium.

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